The Non-Battle of Five Forks

Devin advanced to J. Boiseau’s where the road forked. The 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry from the 2nd brigade, taking the right fork, rode within a mile of White Oak Road where they drove in the rebel pickets. (Merritt’s report OR Vol. 46, Pt. 1, p. 1116).

The 7th Michigan Cavalry of Staff’s Brigade followed up the success of the 6th pa. It encountered Roberts’ Brigade on the White Oak Road at J. Boiseau’s. Roberts’ horse was shot under him and the enemy charged his line at that moment. He escaped capture by leaping onto the horse of one of his couriers. The brigade fell back eastwards up the white oak road. Roberts decided to lay a trap for the federals. Borrowing an infantry regiment from Matt Ransom’s brigade, he placed them in ambush and fell back towards them, seemingly routed. On came Staff’s brigade in a column of fours, the 1st Michigan commanded by Lt. Col. Maxwell, the 5th Michigan commanded by Lt. Col. Hastings, the 6th Michigan Cavalry commanded by Lt. Col> Vinton, and of course Maxwell’s 1st Michigan. Just as the column of federals appeared over a hill the infantry let loose a premature volley that passed high over the heads of the charging enemy. Only one man was hit, Major Duggan of the . Stagg immediately reformed his brigade and fell back one mile. The federals reported that they had encounbtere dpickett’s entire division. (“The Michigan cavalry brigade” Detroit “Free Press” april 22, 1865 in p. 1 col. ) Endelin commanding the 16th North Carolina Cavalry Battalion charged the federal rear guard singlehandedly in a lone charge and was captured. (New Annals p. 534-535)