The Washington herald., 1915-04-04
GRANT DEFEATS LEE AT
BATTLE OF FIVE FORKS,
April I.

FIFTY years ago today the battle OF
Five Forks was fought. thirteen miles
southwest of Petersburg. resulting in
the shattering of Gen. Lees right by
Gen. Sheridan, and the capture Of $500
men of Gen. George E. Picketts COM
mand.
Five Forks sealed the fate OF Peters
burg and of Lees army. 1t opened
Lees nank to swift and fatal attack.
From the moment he learned Of its re-
suit, the great Confederate could only
direct his energies to holding OF Grant
long enough to enable Petersburg's de-
tenders to begin a retreat.
Sheridan's victory at Five Forks is
rated as one of the most brilliant Of
the war. chiefly because of the interest
ing study in tactics 1t presents to the
military student. but largely because
of the figure presented by the fiery lit
tie Federal general in leading his
troops, battle flag in hand. in a charge
upon the enemy's works.
Yet in view of the force at his dis
posal, and the enemy's position and con-
dition, Gen. Sheridan would have been
a poor soldier had he not won. He had
5000 cavalry and not less than 10000
infantry on the field, all finely equipped,
against $500 cavalry and $500 infantry
of the enemy. who had been worn down
in equipment and health by a long
siege.
The Confederates were in an en-
trenched position. but their intrench-
ments had been hastily built and Of
fered little protection against a de.
termined attack by superior numbers.
Furthermore, the Confederates were
isolated from Lees main force.
The battle was fought late on a low
ering day, not beginning until 4 o'clocki
Ia hnf FNAifhAv
Pickett, nor Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, who
commanded the Confederate cavalry,
was on the field when it began. and
though but a mile away, neither knew
the battle was Joined until so informed
by a courier, as by an atmospheric
freak the sounds of the guns did not
reach them through the heavy air. -
Preparing to strike.
Five Forks was a logical result of
Gen. Grants plan for striking Lee on
his right flank. Grant had sent out
his cavalry on March 20 under orders
to push around the enemy, IL you can
and get on his right rear
To do this Sheridan had made a de-
tour southwark to Dinwiddle Court
house. fourteen miles southwest Of
from which, on March 81,
he had advanced northerly toward Five
Forks, junction OF 10ur important
roads. four miles from the end Of Lees
works and thirteen from Petersburg.
This point was OF the highest strategic
Importance.
Lee had detected the movement at
the start and had hurried Pickett and
Lee to meet It. On the 31st
they had pushed Sheridan's cavalry
back upon Dinwiddie Courthouse. but.
warned that night that Grant was
hurrying infantry to Sheridan's sup
port. they had Withdrawn In the night
10 before Five Forks.
Tho infantry ordered to aid Sheri-
ian was the Fifth Corps, Gen. g. X.
which since Grants move
nent to the left on March - had been
steadily on duty. marching and hght- |
ng. Warren was ordered to make
hight march to reach Sheridan At day |
light with his whole corps. Owing to |
lelay in getting his troops started and
n rebuilding . bridge over an unford- |
lble stream (Gravslly RUM. but one |
Iivision reached Sheridan at daylight.
BY that time the situation in front
Il Sheridan had changed. with Pick |
tits withdrawal.1 The other two divi- |
hons Of the Firth Corps were directed
lcross country toward Five Forks.
while SheridaYs cavalry followed up
he slowly RETIRING cavalry Of the en-
my.
The srs.yer part sf the day wasl