Battle of Five Forks
Five Forks, Dinwiddie County, Virginia, USA
What happened
Union cavalry and infantry under General Philip Sheridan fought Confederate troops under General George Pickett. Five Forks was a road junction guarding the South Side Railroad, the last supply line into the besieged city of Petersburg. Sheridan's cavalry and infantry attacked and broke Pickett's line, taking thousands of prisoners. Pickett and another commander were away at a lunch when the attack began.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Losing the railroad forced Robert E. Lee to abandon Petersburg and Richmond. It began the final days of the war in Virginia.
What came next
Sheridan's troops blocked Lee's escape, and on 9 April 1865 Lee surrendered at Appomattox.
Did you know?
The lunch the Confederate generals were at was a 'shad bake', with fish brought on ice from a nearby river.
Timeline
- 1 April 1865The Union wins at Five Forks.
- April 1865Lee abandons Petersburg and Richmond.
- 9 April 1865Lee surrenders at Appomattox.