Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 3

[463] who was to move forward from the left and attack in flank the troops in front of Warren. This was done, and the enemy was compelled to fall back. Warren then prepared to push forward his whole force in conjunction with Miles.

Meanwhile, Grant was preparing to support Warren on the other flank, and sent a message to Sheridan: ‘The enemy have driven Ayres and Crawford's divisions back to near the Boydton road. The whole Fifth corps is now about to attack the enemy in turn. It is desirable that you get up as much of your cavalry as you can, and push towards the White Oak road. . . . If the enemy does not go back to his old position, by turning to the right, you may be able to hit the enemy in rear.’ He followed this up by an order to Ord: ‘Ayres's division has been driven from near W. Dabney's back to the Boydton road. The Fifth corps is now pre. paring to take the offensive in turn, aided by the Second corps. Keep the enemy busy in your front, and if a chance presents itself for attacking, do so.’

At about one o'clock the general-in-chief went out in person to the front to witness the attack, and from there sent another dispatch to Sheridan. ‘I am now,’ he said, ‘at Mrs. Butler's house, on Boydton plank road. My Headquarters will be at Dabney's saw-mill to-night. Warren, and Miles's division of the Second corps are now advancing. I hope your cavalry is up where it can be of assistance. Let me know how matters stand with the cavalry, where they are, what their orders, etc. If it had been possible to have had a division or two of them well up on the right, . . . they could ’