Campaign Diaries - Shenandoah 1864

Internationally renowned American Civil War enthusiast Warren Mehrtens declare d these few scraps of information about General Early's 1864 Shenandoah Campaign to be

'the most significant finds of a generation...'

Whilst the records show a number of Confederate Situation reports and correspondence there is also one Union Situation report in the collection. If anyone out there has any of the remaining paperwork in their files then please let this forum know so we can complete the online collection!

From the evidence so far investigated we can note the key players were:

CSA:
John Sears - Gen'l Early
Steve Cast - Gen'l Ramseur
Mike Newman - Gen'l Ransom
Warren Mehrtens -
Phil Hardy -

USA:
Dave Vallance - Gen'l Hunter
Rupert Worrell -
Andy Flatman -

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.

Confederate Situation Report - Midday, 25th June 1864

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.

Gen’l Ramseur: On the 21st you march to Harrisburg with Lilley’s brigade and half your artillery where you join-up once again with Johnson’s Brigade. Under orders from Gen’l Early on the 22nd you march east to Cross Keys, brushing aside Yankee skirmishers and finding that the location had been evacuated by the Yanks 2 days earlier. Next day to march east again to Conrad’s Store and then north to Laurey and finally arriving in Front Royal late on the 25th June.

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.

Union Situation Report - 21st June

Gen’l Hunter
You have been able to fall back in relatively good order to Winchester, arriving evening of 20th June.

If you are able to remain in position for 24 hours most of your missing will return to your lines. Additionally these units will be automatically re-supplied.

General Siegel’s Division had arrived in Winchester mid-day, 20th June, his division is now directly under your command.

Gen’l Crook
Having left a strong defensive screen at Cross Keys to avoid pursuit by the enemy, your division has marched to Front Royal by the morning of 21st June, force marching on the 20th.

Your options are now open, to the west lies Strasburg, where scouts inform you of the arrival yesterday evening of at least one rebel division and supporting cavalry.

To the east you would be able to take the railroad, via Alexandria, to Winchester, and able to arrive tomorrow afternoon.

It may however delay the rebels if they become aware of your presence on their flank, giving Hunter & Seigel time to fortify Winchester.

Gen’ls Averrel & Stahel
Are now in Kernstown, fighting rearguard actions against pursuing rebel cavalry and infantry force who are currently in Strasburg.

Stahel’s division are low on ammunition as they have now been in the saddle on active service continuously since Harrisburg.


Enemy Dispositions
Full details of Early’s location are not fully known.
It is believed that Early’s force at Strasburg consists of Gordon’s Infantry Division and Ransom’s Cavalry division, but possibly others.

At Harrisburg, at the time of Crook’s departure on the 19th June, it appeared that Beckinridge’s Corps had remained on the field, with fresh troops still arriving from the south. These may have been elements of Ramseur’s Division.

Confederate Situation Report - Morning 21st June

Gen’l Early
You have transferred your command post to be attached to that of Gen’l Echols and have accompanied his division and Ramson’s Cavalry in the pursuit of Hunter’s divisions north from Harrisburg.

The march north has been quick with numerous small skirmishes between your own and enemy cavalry, as the enemy make strong efforts to prevent your scouts learning too much, or your main force impeding their retreat. Keeping up a hot pace, Echol’s Infantry have now reached Strasburg (last night), whilst Ransom’s Cavalry are now reconnoitering Kernstown and it’s environs, it is
clear that the Yanks are willing to resist any further push north, and won’t give ground without a fight. It seems that their two cavalry divisions are prepared to make a stand.

Hunter’s Infantry division is not in evidence.

You are getting reports form locals that there is a large enemy force at Front Royal, a day’s march to the east this is possibly Hunter but could also be Crook, no other details are yet known A letter arrives at your headquarters from Gen’l Lee on the 21st June.

Gen’l Ransom
Your troops have been in the saddle for 12 days non-stop, having fought at Harrisburg and skirmished almost every other day. They are exhausted and need to have rest to re-coup and re-supply.

Maps of Kernstown area are being drawn-up, however, the enemy cavalry is not dug in, although they do out number you by 2:1.

24 hours rest off the front line will do them wonders!




Gen’l Beckinridge
Having remained at Harrisburg and held the field, you are now able to report that significant numbers of troops have rejoined your forces. Most of these had slight wounds or had gotten themselves ‘detached’ from their regiments during the heat of battle.

To re-organise and recover more seriously wounded you will need to travel to a supply depot and remain there for 48 hours. That said your forces have benefited from being able to scour the battlefield and collect dropped food, arms and ammunition.

Gen’l Johnson from Ramseur’s command arrived in Harrisburg on 20th June and is covering the Cross Keys road, however, there has been no activity from that direction since the battle, although a strong enemy skirmish screen remains in place. Two of your regiments have been added to the Confederate Roll of Honour.

Gen’l Ramseur
Your troops continue to build the fortifications at Staunton, Johnson’s brigade has arrived at Harrisburg.

Union Situation Report - Morning 19th June

Gen’l Hunter
Following the unlucky defeat on the Harrisburg battlefield, your army is awaiting further orders. Whilst your 1st Infantry Division took a pounding after holding off two enemy divisions and throwing one back in confusion.

Casualties
All leaders should refer to the casualty reports posted separately by your admin staff, those listed as missing include dead and wounded not found on the field, those captured and those that skedaddled on the in the heat of battle and likely to return overnight. Missing troops will return to your active strength as soon as you spend 24hrs stationary in one location.

Wounded will remain reasonably close at hand as they are treated and can begin to be re-incorporated into your active strength as soon as you take 2 days break at a supply depot to refit and re-organise.

Those listed as killed are dead or too gravely injured to remain in service. Observers on the field of battle report back to you that despite your losses you were able to inflict a severe body blow to Gen’l Beckinridge’s forces at Harrisburg. His infantry divisions are believed to be badly mauled. However, Early’s Corps was largely untouched during the battle.

Supplies
All brigades actively engaged in the battle at Harrisburg will find that they have expended supplies (ammunition, water and food) in participating in the battle. Quartermasters are reporting that this is not yet a big problem, all infantry brigades have 2 days rations left, that plus what can be secured locally should see the troops through . Similar story for all cavalry brigades.
Quartermasters recommend that you fall back onto a supply base where you can re-supply, re-organise and recover your forces and prepare for the next rebel attack that is undoubtedly going to come.

Enemy Dispositions
Full details of Early’s location are as yet unknown, awaiting reports from Gen’l Averell’s & Stahel’s cavalry to confirm their actions. It is assumed that Early’s infantry divisions will be heading north – to press their current advantage. Ramsom’s Cavalry Division will likely be perusing you to collect information. It is likely that your Cavalry divisions can successfully screen / delay any enemy pursuit if so ordered.