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

At seven o'clock, Grant had further intelligence. Colonel Porter, of his own staff, arrived from the front. He had left before the battle was over, but brought word that Sheridan would contest the ground foot by foot, and could hold the position at Dinwiddie till morning. Sheridan also thought the time had come when the enemy could be forced to fight in the open field, and the national troops should make their blows decisive. Grant at once took an encouraging view of the situation, and expressed the belief that, having the rebels outside of their works, he would now be able to strike a final blow. He waited, however, for further news before taking definite action.

Meanwhile he telegraphed to Meade: ‘Colonel Porter has returned from Sheridan. He says that Devin has been driven back in considerable confusion south of Boisseau's house. The effort has been to get our cavalry on to the White Oak road west of W. Dabney's house. So far this has failed, and there is no assurance that it will succeed. This will make it necessary for Warren to watch his left all round. The cavalry being where it is will probably make the enemy very careful about coming round much in his rear, but he cannot be too much on his guard.’ As yet, Grant's anxiety was almost exclusively for Warren.

But, at 7.40 P. M., an aide-de-camp of Sheridan arrived with full reports, and the general-in-chief instantly ordered Meade: ‘Let Warren draw back at once to his position on the Boydton road, and send a division of infantry to Sheridan's relief. The troops ’