Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-04-01
sHERIDANs - CHARGING rIcKETrs Ar FvE FoRKs

Ming in general direction southwest
and lying between the Federal posi-
lions and Hatcher's run. Hatcher
run is swampy stream and made "a
good barrier when defended az the
fords. About thirteen miles west by
south or Petersburg there Is a good
road crossing the run and leading TO
the South Side railroad. This railroad
has Lynchburg and Danville connec-
lions and was OF highest importance 10
lee I'm Petersburg. At Five Forks this
road was defended from the Federal
positions by intrenchments. and az Din
widdie Court House Eve miles south
east there were Outposts and defenscs
20 guard against surprise at Five
Forks. Sheridan and the corps Of
Warren. Wright and Humphreys moved
together toward the Federal left. and
lee sent out General II. II. Anderson
with detached divisions 10 cope with
this strong force
When General Lee learned OF the
presence OF Sheridan on the Petersburg
lines he promptly concentrated all 81
his available cavalry TO cooperate with
Anderson and placed General Fitz-
Hugh Lee in command. Fitz lee al the
time was Ia front OF Richmond with
his own division and marched promptly
20 Five Forks. Early on March 30 the
Confederate troopers with Lee rode out
toward Dinwidcie Court House. which
had been reached by Sheridan's adj
vance \ sharp skirmish took place
Late that day Titz Lee was Joined by
the cavalry divisions OF General T. l..
ROsser and General w. II. +. Lee, max
ing a total Of nearly GOO sabers In the
corps Lee retired his troopers TO Five
Forks. where General George f.. Pick
EFT, the hero Of the famous charge at
Gettysburg. arrived about the same
time with nearly 1000 infantry.
While Fitz Lee stood on the Fedora.
advance with Gordon OF sabers Pick
EFT intrenched his infantry on a line ex-
tending about mile east and west re
spectively OF the junction OF roads az
Five Forks. The lines OF cavalry OK
tended still farther on each flank. Dur
ing the 31st Sheridan's cavalry Iader
the immediate command OF General
Wesley Merritt pressed close 70 Pick
ett's works on the direct from and on
gagged In considerable sharp fighting.
During the preliminary movements
OF the troons Sheridan had vis.fes,
Grant az the headquarters Of tie ar.,s
and received Instructions to toke co-l
mand Of the Fifth army cDrns a..
drive the enemy from Five Forks Ce-.
eral Pickett's works at Five Fors
were ingeniOuSly constructed - cove
the forks OF the roads and TO p-Dtcc-
nearly two miles OF the White GA.
road leading from Five Forks 10 Re
fersburg. which II was Lees object 4
keep open.
sheridaE's plan OF attack was e
make feint OF turning the enemy'f
right flank close TO the forks with cav
airy while the Fifth infantry corps
under General G. X. Warren stormed
the intrenchments on the Confederate
left by approaching the position diago-
naliy and charging over the works and
scross the road at the same lunge.
The extreme end OF Picketts in
trenched line was Ia the woods and
could not be located within many hun
dred yards. The first ana second d.
visions Of Warren, marching by the
flank. passed IL. and the third and last
division. which was also the smallest.