Union Situation Report - Midday, 25th June 1864

Gen'l Hunter

Gen’l Hunter: Your division has received back into it’s ranks all the available wounded and missing after two days rest at Winchester. This rest is completed on 23rd June.

You immediately set the troops to building defences around the city, see attached maps for battlefield.

Also on the 23rd Siegel’s Division arrives in town. They are a mixed blessing, mist of these men are 90 day volunteers, what’s worse is that most have only about 10 days service left before they are discharged – it is likely that they will not be too keen to get killed so close to the end of their engagement!

That said, they are all armed, can shot and have rations and ammunition!

As discussed you have written to Gen’l Grant requesting the dispatch of re-enforcements to stop Early’s march north. On the morning of he 25th June you receive a note from Grant acknowledging your request and saying that a Corps that was planned to be transferred from New Orleans to the peninsula will be re-routed to Washington, but this will take about 2-3 weeks to arrive.

Gen’l Crook: On the 22nd June your force arrives at Front Royal, where you proceed to organise enough trains to ship your command to Winchester, via Alexandria. This movement starts the next day on the 23rd June and by end of day on 25th you and your entire command are in Winchester and ready to fight.

Gen'l Stahel

Gen'l Averell

Gen’ls Averell & Stahel: Your divisions are holding Kersntown, there has been no real determined effort by the rebels to test your positions, yet you know that they attack must come.

You also know that the longer it takes for the attack to come the more preparation can have been done in Winchseter to give the Rebs a really warm reception. It’s just worrying that the normally aggressive Rebs are so quite!

You are under orders to retire on Winchester as soon as a major attack develops.