HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF
NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
April 1, 1865.
HON. SEC. OF WAR, RICHMOND.
SIR: After my dispatch of last night I received a report
from General Pickett, who with three of his own brigades and two of General
Johnston's supported the cavalry under Gen. Fitz Lee near Five Forks on the
Road from Dinwiddie Court House to the Southside road. After considerable
difficulty, and meeting resistance from the enemy at all points, General
Pickett forced his way to within less than a mile of Dinwiddie Court House. By
this time it was too dark for further operations, and General Pickett resolved
to return to Five Forks to protect his communications with the railroad. He
inflicted considerable damage upon the enemy, and took some prisoners. His own
loss was severe, including a good many officers. General Terry had his horse
killed by a shell, and was disabled himself. Gen. Fitz Lee's and Rosser's
divisions were heavily engaged, but their loss was slight. Gen. W. H. F. Lee
lost some valuable officers. General Pickett did not retire from the vicinity
of Dinwiddie Court House until early this morning, when his left flank being
threatened by a heavy force, he withdrew to Five Forks, where he took position
with Gen. W. H. F. Lee on his right, Fitz Lee and Rosser on his left, with
Robert's brigade on the White Oak road, connecting with General Anderson.
The enemy is also reported to have withdrawn all his troops
from Wolf Run Shoals and Fairfax Station, and to have concentrated them at
Winchester.
Very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,
General.
SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert
Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 362-3
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