It is obvious that in carrying out this mission that not only must one fit in to the part being played, but to some degree must fit in also with our "customers" schedules and wishes. We have already encountered much more possible "continuing business" than anticipated when the planning of the mission was laid out. While in one consideration this is a good thing, it also impinges on our advance guard to avoid any suspicion or consideration which might reveal the real purpose for our being here. However, this first effort while being a real one with real goals is also for the purpose of dealing with all the elements of a longer foray into the more southern climes. My original idea was to spend some five to six days on the road to iron out any concerns, however, the group has worked well together and operated to date like a very well oiled machine. This one concern may not be a major one.
I had hoped to reach the ferry across the Potomac by the end of the third day on the road. However, that may well be extended if we continue to meet folks who have needs which we advertise. I see no real problem there, since we have been provided with meals and places to camp which are perfect cover for what we are doing. My sketch book is already beginning to fill with information that I have gathered as we move along the roads and I am sure that Hezzie has a significant amount of information as well.
We will leave here tomorrow morning and move on to the South. As I mentioned the goal will be to reach the ferry by the evening of the third day. However, there is no way to predict the way we will be received further down the road based on what has happened here, so we must play it by ear. Once on the other side of the river, I had planed to be in Alexandria , by the evening of the seventh day at the latest. We will hew to that schedule as well as we can, taking into consideration the needs and desires of our "customers." As Hezzie has rightfully said, we must at all cost blend in, and from what we have seen of this tip and what we offer, we will be successful in that only if we deal with the people along our route in keeping with our advertisements.
Early the next morning I asked that we break camp and move off further to the South. The lads let me sleep late and I enjoyed a quick breakfast of fried bread and scrambled eggs and sausage. Josh is obviously a candidate to be an excellent military aid! The road moving South
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Road Sketch Plan
Draw a picture of the road on one side of the sheet, with all the items that are a part of the road, and on the side of the sheet next to the road list all the information pertaining to the lists below:
Bridges, fords, walls, fences, ditches, bordering fields, woods, rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, buildings;
Food plants in fields adjacent to the road (wheat, barley, corn, etc., orchards, cattle, sheep, goats , etc.; Roads leading off the main road with any destination and distance signs to a distance of five miles unless more or less is indicated by the engineer;
Compass bearings from specific points along the road to distant features such as mountain, hills, large trees, large rock, etc.; Condition of road dry and wet for infantry, cavalry, freight wagons, and artillery; Depth of water and creek bottom make-up at fords and approximate up and down angles of the road (above 4% and extra teams will be needed for wagons and artillery; Evaluate the strength of bridges for infantry, cavalry, artillery, and freight wagons.
Respectfully;
Jim Mathews
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