my's main works, was forced to retire after suffering considerable
loss. I protested, vehemently, against the renewal of the attack
with so small a force. General Wright thereupon ordered me to
assemble the number of men necessary to insure success, take charge
of them in person, and make the desired capture. I added to the
Ohio regiments mentioned the 67th Pennsylvania, portions of the
6th Maryland and 126th Ohio, and a battalion of the 9th New York
Heavy Artillery, and under a severe fire, at 3 P.M., without halting
or firing, charged over the enemy's first intrenched line, capturing
over two hundred prisoners. Notwithstanding a heavy artillery fire
concentrated upon us the captured works were held. Our loss was
severe and hardly compensated for by the number of the enemy killed
and captured. For my part in this affair I was complimented by
Meade in general orders.

It turned out that the section of works taken was more important
to us than first estimated.

Sheridan, with his cavalry, having recently arrived from the
Shenandoah Valley _via_ the White House, moved to the left on the
29th of March in the direction of Dinwiddie Court-House, where he
encountered a considerable force. A battle ensued on the 30th and
31st, in which Sheridan with his cavalry, in part dismounted, fought
some of the best cavalry and infantry of Lee's army, the former
commanded by Fitzhugh Lee and the latter by Pickett of Gettysburg
fame. By using temporary barricades, Sheridan, though outnumbered,
repulsed the attacks of Fitz Lee and Pickett, and at nightfall of
the 31st was in possession of the Court-House.

In consequence of incessant rain for two days Grant, from his
headquarters, then on Gravelly Run, issued orders the evening of
the 30th to suspend all further movements until the roads should
dry up; but he was visited by Sheridan and persuaded to continue
the campaign. Sheridan asked that the Sixth Corps should be ordered
to follow and support him.( 4) He claimed this corps had served
under him in the Valley and its officers were well known to him.
His request was not acceded to, as other work was already assigned
to Wright. Grant ordered Meade to send the Fifth Corps under
General G. K. Warren to reinforce Sheridan. Meade was directed to
"_urge Warren not to stop for anything_." Sheridan, April 1st,
determined to press the enemy, regardless of bad roads and his
isolated position. Pickett and Fitz Lee, heavily reinforc