Year: 1865

a most graphic picture. His plan is best
told in his own words: 81 determined that
would drive the enemy with the cavalry
to the Five Forks, press them into their
works, and make an effort to turn their
right flank, and meanwhile quietly move
up the 9th corps, with view to attacking
their left flank, crush the whole force il
possible, and drive westward those who
might escape, thus isolating them from their
army at Petersburg. Happily this opera
ton was successfully executed"


After speaking of the cavalry he con-
tinues: 81 then rode over to where the
9th corps was going into position, and
found them coming up very slowly. !
was exceedingly anxious to attack at
once, for the sun was getting low and we
had to fight or go back. It was no place
to intrench, and it would have been
shameful to have gone back with no re-
suits to compensate for the loss of the
brave men who had fallen during the
day."


In this connection l will say that General
Warren did not exert himself to get up his
corps as rapidly as he might have done, and
his manner gave me the impression that he
wished the sun to 60 down before the DISPOSE
tions for the attack could be completed. As
soon as the corps was in position l ordered an
advance. The 9th corps on reaching the
White Oak road, made left wheel and burst
on the enemys left flank and rear like tor
nado, and pushed rapidly on, orders having
been given that if the enemy was routed, there
should be no halt to form the broken lines,
AS stated before the firing of the 5th corps
was the signal to Gen. Merritt to assault,
which was properly responded to, and the
works of the enemy were soon carried at
sword points by our brave cavalrymen. The
enemy were driven from their strong line of
works, and completely routed. The 9Th corps
doubling up their flank in confusion, and the
cavalry of Gen. Merritt dashing on to the
White Oak road, capturing their artillery and
turning it upon their broken ranks, so demor.
allied them that they made no serious stand
after their line was carried, but took to flight
in disorder. Between five and six thousand
prisoners fell into our hands, and the fugitives
were driven westward, and were pursued un-
til long after dark by Merritts and McKen-
zies cavalry, for distance of six miles. Dur
ing this attack again became dissatisfied with
Gen. Warren. During the engagement por-
tions of his line gave way when not exposed
to heavy fire. and simply from want of conf.
dence on the part of the troops, which Gener-
al Warren did not exert himself to inspire.
therefore relieved him from the command of
the 9Th corps, authority for this action having
been sent to me before the battle, unsolicited.


In these extracts Gen. Warren will find
the answer to his late letter in the news
papers, in which he professed ignorance as
to the cause of his supersedure. Gen.
Sheridan speaks in the warmest terms of
the 9th corps, as well as of his own cavalry
force, saying they all seemed to realize
that the success of the campaign and the
fate of Lees army depended on the result
of that days fighting The report then
details at considerable length the pursuit
of Lees army. The opening paragraph of
bis account of the operations of April Sd,
is as follows: con arriving at letters.
vile, learned that without doubt Lee and
his whole army were at Amelia Court
House. The 5th corps was at once Or
dered to intrench, with view of holding
Jettersville until the main army could
come up. 1t seems to me that this was
the only chance that the Army of North
ern Virginia had to save itself, which
might have been done had General Lee
promptly attacked and driven back the
comparatively small force opposed to him,
and pursued his march to Burkesville
Junction"


In continuing the report, Gen. Sheridan
expresses a regret at having, on the Sd,
given ND the command of Miles division
of the I'd corps, and on the 9th of the 9th
corps, and expresses the belief that he
could have accomplished more decisive re-
sults had he been allowed to retain control
of these troops. He takes occasion to
speak in high terms of the 9Th corps,
which was ordered to report to him on the
night of the 9Th, and adds:


On the arrival of Major Gen. Wright he re-
ported the corps to me and from that time
until after the battle, received my orders and
obeyed them but after the engagement was
over, and Gen. Meade had communicated with
Gen. Wright, the latter d-clined to make his
report to me until ordered to do SO by the
Lieut. General.