Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 2

At this juncture, when Humphreys was unsupported north of the river, Ord, Crook, and Wright entangled on the southern bank, with the bridges destroyed, and no one to direct the corps commanders —for Sheridan had moved forward on the road to Prince Edward, while Meade was still at the rear at High bridge—Grant arrived at Farmville, riding up from Burksville junction.

He at once ordered Crook to ford the river and proceed to the support of Humphreys, and the cavalry waded belly-deep across the Appomattox. Next, a re-assuring message was sent to Humphreys: ‘Your note of 1.20 P. M. to Major General Meade is just seen. Mott's division¹ of your corps and Crook's cavalry are both across the river at this point. The Sixth and Twenty-fourth corps are here. The enemy cannot cross at Farmville.’ The army of the James was then ordered out of the way, to follow Sheridan on the road to Prince Edward, and Wright was directed to build a foot-bridge for his infantry, and to bring up pontoons for the artillery and the trains. These orders were all obeyed, and before dark Wright's column was filing across the Appomattox, Crook was fighting on the northern bank, and Ord far on the road to Prince Edward. Meanwhile, Humphreys had been waiting the arrival of Barlow and the Sixth corps; but heavy firing was heard in the direction of Farmville, which he supposed to proceed from the guns of Wright. He