Currier & Ives Battle of Five Forks Va. April 1st 1865
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02881.26 Author/Creator: Currier & Ives Place Written: New York, New York Type: Print Date: circa 1865 Pagination: 1 lithograph : col. ; 25.3 x 34.9 cm. Order a Copy
Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Caption under the title says: "This splendid Victory which led to the capture of the South side Railroad & the fall of Petersburg and Richmond was achieved by the brave Union boys commanded by that hero of heroes Phil. Sheridan; Charges that have never been exceeded in valor & impetuosity were made by both Cavlary & Infantry, until the Rebel hosts gave way in confusion and were captured by regiments & brigades, Thousands of prisoners, whole batteries of artillery and many stands of colors, were the trophies of this well fought fight." Depicts a chaotic scene where rows of infantry meet in the background while calvarymen clash in the foreground. Lithograph is mounted.
General Robert E. Lee ordered General George Pickett with his infantry division and General Thomas Munford’s, W.H.F. Lee’s, and Thomas Rosser’s cavalry divisions to hold the vital crossroads of Five Forks at all hazard. On 1 April 1865, while Sheridan’s cavalry pinned the Confederate force in position, the V Corps under Major General 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. 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.
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