Battle of Dinwiddie Court House

Battle of Dinwiddie Court House Began: March 31, 1865 Ended: Same day Location: Dinwiddie County, Virginia Theater: Eastern Theater Campaign: Appomattox Campaign Outcome: Confederate victory Combatants Commanders Philip Sheridan Major General, USA George Pickett Major General, CSA Fitzhugh Lee Major General, CSA Strength 45,247 20,030 Casualties 354 760

On March 29, with the Cavalry Corps and the II and V Corps, Sheridan undertook a flank march to turn Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Petersburg defenses. A steady downpour turned the roads to mud, slowing the advance. On March 31, Maj. Gen. W.H. Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry and Pickett’s infantry division met the Union vanguard north and northwest of Dinwiddie Court House and drove it back, temporarily stalling Sheridan’s movement. With Union infantry approaching from the east, Pickett withdrew before daybreak to entrench at the vital road junction at Five Forks. Lee ordered Pickett to hold this intersection at all hazard. (NPS summary)