General Ransom
Sir,
Further to my initial verbal report and in answer to your questions I have been able to draw up the attached map to give you as best a plan of the Yankee layout as I can recall.
We saw no evidence of Artillery, yet we positively identified the company lines of two Yankee cavalry regiments and could see the lines of at least one further regiment north of the town, there were camp fires burning in each and the fires extended beyond our clear vision as indicated on the map.
The final approach to the camps will be difficult in my opinion sir, as they seem to have had pickets and patrols set out by someone who has experience in soldiering. Yankee patrols are not moving more than about a mile from Waynesboro and certainly not into the woods.
We may be able to approach via the woods but that would then leave us about a mile to cross over open farming country. The ground is covered by a number of small streams – but none of these are large enough to cause us concern. Movement at night may create noise, movement at day will mean we are surely seen.
If you were to ask my advice sir, there are two risks, first that the Yanks may know we are hear and be preparing a hot welcome for us, second that we are too cautious and we let the Yanks slip out of our grasp.
Regarding the first – there is no signs of any breastworks or special preparations, regarding the second, with due respect sir, we have not yet come across any Yank cavalry that has the gits to stand up to us when we get stuck in – they’re as likely to run as to fight – either way we get to take Waynesboro back from the Yanks.
Capt. Wellington J. Finch
