The Battle Of Forks Road

Battle of Forks Road, 20-21 February 1865 On February 20th, Northern forces opposing General Robert F. Hoke numbered about 8500 and in probing his posi tion, sent five US Colored Troop (USCT) regiments comprising 1600 men in repeated assaults that day and the next, though the advance crested about 150 yards from Hoke’s lines.

Road

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In response, Sheridan planned to push evenly along the whole line with his cavalry while V Corps under General Gouverneur K. Warren attacked the Confederate left flank.The approach to the Confederate line was slowed by muddy roads and tangled undergrowth, and Warren was unable to attack until 4:00 PM. Faulty intelligence, however, had led Sheridan to imagine the left flank much further to the east than it actually was.

As a result, one of Warren’s three divisions missed the line altogether while another was fired at from the side as it brushed past the flank. The two Union divisions floundered for a time while they sorted out their positions until Sheridan led a charge by one of the divisions and broke through the Confederate flank. As the Confederates tried to organize a new defensive line, Warren’s third, reserve division attacked while Sheridan’s cavalry swept around the other Confederate flank to attack from the rear. The Union victory was decisive. Faced with this major defeat, Confederate General was forced to evacuate Petersburg, handing it over to the Union the next day.Losses: Union, 830 of 17,000; Confederate, 2,950 of 9,200.