“G.  G. Meade, Major-General.”

An hour later General Grant replied in these words: 

“Headquarters armies of the united states,
“DABNEY’S Mills, March 311, 1865. 10:15 P. M.

“Major-general Meade,
“Commanding Army of the Potomac.

Let Warren move in the way you propose, and urge him not to stop for anything.  Let Griffin (Griffin had been ordered by Warren to the Boydton road to protect his rear) go on as he was first directed.

“U.  S. Grant, Lieutenant-General.”

These two despatches were the initiatory steps in sending the Fifth Corps, under Major-General G. K. Warren, to report to me, and when I received word of its coming and also that Genera Mackenzie’s cavalry from the Army of the James was likewise to be added to my command, and that discretionary authority was given me to use all my forces against Pickett, I resolved to destroy him, if it was within the bounds of possibility, before he could rejoin Lee.

In a despatch, dated 10:05 p.m., telling me of the coming of Warren and Mackenzie, General Grant also said that the Fifth Corps should reach me by 12 o’clock that night, but at that hour not only had none of the corps arrived, but no report from it, so believing that if it came all the way down to Dinwiddie the next morning, our opportunity would be gone, I concluded that it would be best to order Warren to move in on the enemy’s rear while the cavalry attacked in front, and, therefore, at 3 o’clock in the morning of April 1 sent this despatch to General Warren: 

“Cavalry headquarters, Dinwiddie C. H.,
“April 1, 1865—­3.  A.M.

“Major-general Warren,
“Commanding Fifth Army Corps.

“I am holding in front of Dinwiddie Court House, on the road leading to Five Forks, for three-quarters of a mile with General Custer’s division.  The enemy are in his immediate front, lying so as to cover the road just this side of A. Adams’s house, which leads across Chamberlain’s bed, or run.  I understand you have a division at J.[G] Boisseau’s; if so, you are in rear of the enemy’s line and almost on his flank.  I will hold on here.  Possibly they may attack Custer at daylight; if so, attack instantly and in full force.  Attack at daylight anyhow, and I will make an effort to get the road this side of Adams’s house, and if I do, you can capture the whole of them.  Any force moving down the road I am holding, or on the White Oak road, will be in the enemy’s rear, and in all probability get any force that may escape you by a flank movement.  Do not fear my leaving here.  If the enemy remains, I shall fight at daylight.

“P.  H. Sheridan, Major-General.”

With daylight came a slight fog, but it lifted almost immediately, and Merritt moved Custer and Devin forward.  As these divisions advanced the enemy’s infantry fell back on the Five Forks road, Devin pressing him along the road, while Custer extended on the left over toward Chamberlain’s Run, Crook being held in watch along Stony Creek, meanwhile, to be utilized as circumstances might require when Warren attacked.