Near Dinwiddie in Dinwiddie County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
"I was exceeding anxious to attack at once…"
Petersburg National Battlefield
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 21, 2021
1. "I was exceeding anxious to attack at once…" Marker
"I was exceeding anxious to attack at once, for the sun was getting low, and we had to fight or go back."
Major General Philip Sheridan
On March 31, 1865 Union cavalry under General Philip Sheridan retreated down this road to the vicinity of Dinwiddie Court House driven by General George Pickett's Confederate force.
On April 1st, the reinforced Federal horsemen advanced to find the southerners — with a vengeance. Late that afternoon they were deployed, mostly dismounted, in a two mile wide line fronting the Confederates just ahead at the Five Forks intersection. They were bolstered by the arrival of infantry, the Union 5th Corps, under General Gouverneur Warren. They attacked on the cavalry's right flank as the cavalry pressed forward. Outnumbered and outmaneuvered the Confederates were routed from the battlefield.
[Caption:]
Sheridan brought more than 6,000 dismounted cavalrymen to the frontal attack against Pickett (3,000 more remained at Dinwiddie C.H.). Warren had 12,000 infantrymen for his flank attack.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is March 31, 1865.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Siege of Petersburg (approx. 0.2 miles away); Siege of Petersburg — The Linchpin is Pulled (approx. 0.2 miles away); "Advanced…repulsed…charged again…" (approx. ¼ mile away); Attack on the Angle (approx. half a mile away); Five Forks Battlefield (approx. half a mile away); The Battle of Five Forks (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Battle of Five Forks (approx. half a mile away); "Hold Five Forks at all hazards…" (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dinwiddie.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 21, 2021
2. "I was exceeding anxious to attack at once…" Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 210 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
