Nine and half months of fighting in the trenches around Petersburg culminated in a two hour battle at a country crossroads in Dinwiddie County known as Five Forks. In this contest, Confederate Cavalry commanded by Fitz Lee and Union Cavalry commanded by Sheridan would meet. In a siege characterized by months of fighting mainly on the part of infantry and artillery soldiers behind the protection of defenses, it is ironic that Union Cavalry charging across an open landscape would begin the collapse of the Confederate army.

Learn more about the role of Cavalry at the Battle of Five Forks. Explore the strategy of the armies in the final battles of the siege and learn how to equip a Cavalry soldier.