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U. S. CIVIL WAR
PHOTOGRAPHS
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LEE'S RETREAT
APRIL 1-9, 1865
(PAGE 1 OF 8)
Retreat route is in
red
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Because the Confederate and Union units took so many different routes during
the retreat it is impractical, in this short presentation, to attempt to describe
all of them. There appears to be, however, a general consensus regarding an
auto tour which would include most of the major events of the retreat. This
perceived consensus is the source for the path described here and shown on the
maps in this section.
A majority of the text not written specifically for this section is from the
U.S. Gov't, National Park Service) - Ed.
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In the text, the icon  is a link to the definition of the word it marks.
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PRELIMINARY
FIVE FORKS
Five Forks - Aerial View.
April 1, 1865
Estimated Casualties: 3,780 total (US 830; CS 2,950)
Gen. Robert E. Lee ordered Pickett with his infantry division and Munford's,
W.H.F. Lee's, and Rosser's cavalry divisions to hold the vital crossroads of Five
Forks at all hazard. On April 1, while Sheridan's cavalry pinned the Confederate
force in position, the V Corps under Maj. Gen. G.K. Warren attacked and
overwhelmed the Confederate left flank, taking many prisoners.
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Charge of the Fifth Corps on Pickett's troops at Five Forks, April 1, 1865
Sheridan personally directed the attack, which extended Lee's Petersburg lines
to the breaking point.
Five Forks - May, 2006.
(Previous N.P.S. Visitor Center is on the left.)
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.
229
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92
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General Philip H. Sheridan
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General Gouverneur K. Warren
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Dissatisfied with his performance at Five Forks, Sheridan relieved Warren
of command of the V Corps.
Five Forks Monument
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PAGE TWO
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Photos
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Lee's Retreat
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Page 2
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3
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4
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5
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7
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Notes
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