Fresh from your pursuit of the Federal cavalry from Waynesboro your forces are now in the vicinity of Staunton. As a matter of course you have sent out scouts to reconnoiter the area and these have reported back this morning.
Capt. Wellington Finch, reports the following;
“Sir, well we done gone hit payload on them darn Yanks this time General. Looks like we got us a whole infantry division dug in at Staunton, looks like three brigades as far as I can make out, and I counted at last three artillery batteries in their lines as well. Numbers wise my guess is about 5-6,000 men, that’s if your including the Blue-belly cavalry we just chased all the ways from Waynesboro”.
Locals in the area that are friendly to the southern cause confirm that Staunton is occupied by ‘Black Dave’ Hunter himself, with him is Jeremiah Sullivan’s 1st Infantry Division. They have had two or three days to dig in as they had been expecting a Confederate attack.
Prisoners from the action at Waynesboro, indicate that you were up against Colonel Weynkoop’s brigade, part of General Julius Stahel’s cavalry division. Stahel, was at Waynesboro directing operations. These same prisoners noted that there were 3 Yankee regiments at Waynesboro, 15th NY, 20th & 22nd PA each of about the same size as your cavalry regiments.
It also appears that the Federals were aware of your presence in the Waynesboro area and as they knew they were out-numbered and without artillery support, they were in the process of withdrawal when you attacked.
Scouts report back from Rockfish Gap that there are no enemy troops between Waynesboro and that place, however, there has been much damage done to the railroad between Staunton and Rockfish Gap.
Your Corps marches from Lynchburg to Waynesboro on the 15th June without undue events taking place. Arriving at Waynesboro you take charge of a few dejected enemy cavalrymen who were captured during the skirmish the previous night. You are still without artillery as your allocated batteries are still tied up with Early’s Corps a days march behind you. To obtain these guns you should either wait a day where you are in Waynesboro as Early sends these forward or you should ask for them to force march forwards tomorrow and they will be with you in Staunton tomorrow evening.
Your Corps marches from Charlottesville to Lynchburg on the 15th June, without any problems. See notes above about Beckinridge’s artillery that is still with your corps.
