Lee, Fitzhugh (1835-1905) to Walter Taylor

Richmond. Va.
April. 22d/65
Lt. Col. W.H. Taylor.
A.A.G. A.W.V.
Col:
In compliance with instructions, I have the honor to submit the following report of the result [of the] operations of my Command. My Division, moved from its position on the left of our lines, or the North Side of the James river, on the 28th of March, Marching to Petersburg, and up the South Side rail road, reaching Southerlands Station on the 29th. The next day, moved towards Dinwiddie C.H. via "five forks," encountering enemys Cavalry , with success, capturing some prisoners, but having to regret in consequence of a wound, being deprived of the services, of that brave and capable officer Brig. Genl. W.H. Payne. I was joined that evening by the Divisions of Genls: W.H.F. Lee and Rosser and by the order of the Commanding General took Command of all the Cavalry. On the 31st of March Pickett coming up with five small brigades [2] of infantry, we attacked the very large force of the enemys cavalry Commanded by Sheridan in our front at "five forks," Killed and wounded many captured over a hundred prisoners and drove them within half mile of Dinwiddie C.H. when night put a stop to operations. our loss was not heavy it include[d] however, Maj. Genl Rosser slightly, and Capt Dawson, my Chief of Ordnance, severely wounded. At daylight on the 1st Apl, we moved from our position near the C.H. having ascertained that a large force of the enemys infantry, which had been previously in front of our works at Burgess' Mill, was marching to reinforce Sheridan, At 4 P.M., the same day, the enemy attacked Pickett in position with (Munford Comdg. My Division on his left and W.H.F. Lee on his right, Rosser being in reserve, in
rear) and defeated him, driving him in the direction of Fords Depot [inserted: on] [struck: of] the South Side railroad. The enemys force consisted of the 5th Corps and Sheridans Cavalry, amounting according to the federal General Meades statement to [inserted: over] 25.000 men - our force of all arms of service did not reach 8.000. Collecting Munfords [3] men with Rossers Division I held the crossing at Hatchers run, preventing the enemy from reaching the railroad and was joined during the night by Lt. Genl. R.H. Anderson, in Command of Wises, Huntons, and Gracies, brigades On April 2nd General Anderson learning that the enemy had penetrated our lines near Petersburg, and that our Army was withdrawing from that locality commenced moving back in the afternoon towards Amelia C.H. on the Namozine and Tabernacle Church road. I followed protecting his rear skirmishing heavily all the way and in this connection I would call especially the attention of the Commanding General to Genls W.H.F. Lee, Rosser & Munford. Wise and Hunton (the two last being more or less under my Command during the march) they seemed in every respect equal to the emergency, I reached Amelia C.H. of the 5th inst, and reporting to the Comdg. Genl. I was ordered to move on the Paynesville road to protect the wagon train, which was reported to have been attacked by the enemys Cavalry, W.H.F. Lee was detached and [4] sent in advance of Longstreet who was moving towards Jetersville. I found the enemy had left the train but pushing on, I closed up to Gary who, with his brigade was engaging their rear, near Paynesville; reinforcing him, rapidly drove the enemy within a mile of Jetersville. Killing thirty, wounding and capturing about 150, finding their infantry in position at Jetersville, (a dispatch captured that night, showed Genl Grant to be there in person) the pursuit was discontinued, and the Command encamped that night at Amelia Springs.
The next morning 6th Apl, my Command marched from Rices Station on Lynchburg railroad, and went into position on Longstreets right, the advance under Rosser made a successful attack on a body of infantry and Cavalry, sent to destroy the high bridge over the Appomattox in our rear, capturing some 780 prisoners, Killing and wounding a large number including among the Killed their Commander Big. Genl Read. We had to mourn the death of the intrepid and dashing Maj. J.W. Thompson, of the Horse' Artillery (Killed leading a Cavalry charge) [5] and the severe wounding of Brig. General Dearing. Died afterwards (Col Bosten 5t Va was also killed.)
The position at Rices was abandoned, during the night of the 6th and I moved after Longstreet across the Appomattox at Farmville. On the 7th, the enemys Cavalry again attacked our train, but by an attack of Munford in front and Rosser in flank were driven back with considerable loss including amongst the Captured Brig Genl. Irvin Gregg.
Our position was held near this point of attack until 12 P.M. when, the march was resumed towards Appomattox C.H. The cavalry following in rear of Longstreet and maintaining that order of March throughout the 8th followed by a portion of the enemys infantry; their Cavalry and the remainder of the Infantry persued the line of R.R. from Farmville to Appomattox Station. During the night of the 8th, I moved to the front with my whole Command to Appomattox C.H. with orders to open the road to Lynchburg reported to be occupied by the enemys Cavalry which had driven Gary back from his position near Appomattox Station. [6] Gordon was to assist me and an attack was to be made upon the enemys Cavalry, provided, it was ascertained they were not supported by infantry. At day break on the 9th Gordons command numbering about 1,600 muskets was formed in line of battle half a mile west of Appomattox C.H. on the Lynchburg road his right Brigade being almost at right angles to the remainder of his line. The Cavalry Corps was formed on his right W.H.F. Lee being nearest to the infantry, [struck: Rosser] Rosser in the Center, and Munford in Command of my Division on the extreme right making a mounted force about two thousand four hundred (2,400) men. Our attack was made about sunrise and the enemys Cavalry quickly driven out of the way, capturing two guns, and a number of prisoners the arrival at this time of two Corps of their infantry necessitated the retiring of our lines. Seeing which and knowing what would be the result I withdrew the Cavalry W.H.F. Lee retiring to our rear, and Rosser and Munford moving out towards Lynchburg, after getting some distance off the men [illegible strike out] [7] [struck: generally] dispersed and rode to their homes, [inserted: upon] learning that the Army of Northern Virginia had surrendered.
Most respectfully
Your obt. svt.
Fitz Lee

Maj. Genl.
Comdg. Cav. Corps

[docket]
Richmond. Va.
April 22nd 1865

Fitz Lee
Maj: Genl.

Submits a report of
The operations of the
Cavalry Corps. A.W.V.
From March 28th to
April 9th both
inclusive.