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

[586] up with the enemy north of the river, while on the southern side Sheridan, followed by Griffin and Ord, was stretching out rapidly, once more to head the flying column of Lee and cut off his hoped-for supplies.

From Farmville, Grant said to Sheridan: ‘The Second corps and Crook's cavalry are north of the river at this place. . . . I think on the whole you had better throw your cavalry up the river towards Chickentown, to watch the different crossings. The Twenty-fourth corps will move up the south bank of the river. . . . You may be able to get in the rear of the enemy, possibly. It is reported among the citizens here that Lynchburg was evacuated last night. I do not doubt but Stoneman is there.’

Sheridan arrived at Prince Edward at three o'clock, and finding Mackenzie already on the ground with his little division, he ordered him to make a reconnoissance as far as Prospect station, on the Lynchburg railroad, and ascertain if the enemy was moving past that point. Meanwhile he learned that Lee had crossed to the north side of the Appomattox. Merritt was, therefore, pushed forward on the southern side to Buffalo creek, while Crook was ordered to recross the Appomattox and rejoin Sheridan at Prospect station, in advance of Ord. At 6.45 P. M., Sheridan reported his movements to Grant: ‘I am following,’ he said, ‘with the First and Third cavalry divisions, and will reach the vicinity of Prospect station to-night, if I do not go to Chickentown.’

Still later he sent further and important news to the general-in-chief, from Prospect station. ‘I am moving the column on Appomattox depot. There are eight trains of cars at that point, to supply ’