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| Sheridan | Pickett |
| 1831-88 | 1825-75 |
FIVE FORKS
1 APRIL 1865
PRELUDE
Gen. Robert E. Lee ordered Pickett with his infantry division and Munford’s, W.H.F. Lee’s, and Rosser’s cavalry divisions to hold the vital crossroads of Five Forks at all hazard.
THE COMMANDERS
Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan
Maj. Gen. George Pickett
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| Sheridan | Pickett |
| 1831-88 | 1825-75 |
FIRST DAY
On April 1, while Sheridan’s cavalry pinned the Confederate force in position, the V Corps under Maj. Gen. G.K. Warren attacked and overwhelmed the Confederate left flank, taking many prisoners. Sheridan personally directed the attack, which extended Lee’s Petersburg lines to the breaking point. Loss of Five Forks threatened Lee’s last supply line, the South Side Railroad.
AFTERMATH
The next morning, Lee informed Jefferson Davis that Petersburg and Richmond must be evacuated. Union general Winthrop was killed; “Willie” Pegram, beloved Confederate artillery officer, was mortally wounded. Dissatisfied with his performance at Five Forks, Sheridan relieved Warren of command of the V Corps.
RESULT
UNION VICTORY
CASUALTIES
UNION TROOPS..................................25000 Approx KILLED....................................) Approx WOUNDED.............................) 2500 in CAPTURED OR MISSING.....) Total |
CONFEDERACY TROOPS.................................10000 Approx KILLED...................................) Approx WOUNDED............................) 5000 in CAPTURED OR MISSING....) Total |
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FIVE FORKS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION