Benson J. Lossing, Pictorial Field Book of the Civil War. Volume 3.

[539] extended line of the National intrenchments, full thirty-five miles in length. Wide discretion was given to these commanders concerning attacks on the Confederate lines during the grand movement by the left. “I would have it particularly enjoined upon Corps commanders,” the General-in-chief said, “that in case of an attack from the enemy, those not attacked are not to wait for orders from the commanding officers of the Army to which they May belong, but that they will move promptly, and notify the commander of their action.” all dismounted men were ordered to report to General Benham, at City Point, who was left in charge of the immense depository of supplies at that place.

Sheridan crossed the Appomattox from Bermuda hundred, passed to the rear of the Army before Petersburg, and Early on the morning of the 29th,

March, 1865.

marched down the Jerusalem plank road,¹ and turning westward, pushed on by way of Reams's Station, to Dinwiddie Court-House, where, at five o'clock in the afternoon, he halted for the night.

meanwhile, the Corps of Warren and Humphreys (Fifth and Second) had moved at a very Early hour. The former started at three o'clock in the morning,

March 29.

and marching well to the left, crossed Rowanty Creek (which is formed by the junction of Hatcher's Run and Gravelly Creek), and soon turning to the right, marched northward along the Quaker road. Humphreys passed Hatcher's Run by the Vaughan road, four miles above Warren's crossing-place, and also turning northward, followed the line of that stream. On nearly parallel roads the two Corps moved against the flank of the Confederate intrenchments, over a very tedious way, with great toil, in consequence of heavy rain. Very little opposition was experienced until Warren, when within two miles of the Confederate works, encountered a line of battle. A sharp contest ensued, the brunt of which fell upon Chamberlain's brigade of Gibbon's division, which was in front. The Confederates were repulsed, with a loss of many killed and wounded, and one hundred made prisoners. Warren lost three hundred and seventy men. He bivouacked that night in front of the Confederate works covering the White Oak road, after drawing fire from them. Humphreys had a more difficult March, but meeting skirmishers only; and he had not reached the works when night compelled him to halt. Dinwiddie Court-House, where Sheridan was resting, was only six miles distant from Warren and Humphreys. The Union line was practically unbroken from that Point to the Appomattox.

it had been arranged for Sheridan to cut loose from the rest of the Army on the morning of the 30th, for the purpose of making the contemplated raid on the South side and Danville railways; but Grant changed his plan. He said in substance, in a note to Sheridan, “I want to end the matter, if it is possible to do so, before going back. Leave the railways at present; push around the enemy in the morning and get to his rear, and we will act all together, as one Army, until we shall see what can be done with the forces before us.” dispositions were made accordingly.

Lee now fully comprehended the immediate perils that menaced him, for he saw that his only lines of communication with the rest of the Confederacy