Gen’l Early: Gen’l Beckinridge’s HQ and Gordon’s divisional HQ arrive in Strasburg at mid-day, their troops will be arriving in the next 2-3 hours in a constant stream.All is ready for an early morning attack on Kerstown in the morning. Your scouts report that Averell & Stahel’s cavalry divisions are still in position, as they have been since the 21st June when you first arrived in the area. Locals that have travelled south to your positions indicate that the Yank troopers are in good spirits and are seemingly relishing the coming engagement, although they are concerned as to why you have not attacked already.
Gen’l Beckinridge: You have made it to Strasburg as requested by Gen’l Early, but it was a close run thing. Your troops will need time to rest to be at their full potential. All you r missing from the Battle of Harrisburg have returned to you lines, there are wounded that are still on the road north who will be able to re-join the ranks as soon as you have secured the supply bases at Winchester.
Friendly locals quickly inform you that Gen’l Crook’s Division shipped east on trains on the 23rd June, many locomotives were commandeered to achieve this and not all have returned yet, although there is enough rolling stock for your reduced division to follow as far as Manassas Gap or Brandy Station – beyond that at Manassas Junction and Orange are reportedly Corps sized Yankee formations.
Gen’l Ransom: On the afternoon of June 25th Gen’l Early send word that your troopers should stand too and once again ready to take the field. You men are rested and eager to fight.