Major General Philip Sheridan, with his cavalry and elements of the Union Army's Fifth Corps had entrenched himself at Jetersville, Virginia in an effort to block the Army of Northern Virginia attempt to rally on Danville, Virginia, after the fall of Richmond and Petersburg. Lee's feared assault was delayed and the two other main pursuing columns, under Generals George Meade and Edward Ord, quickly consolidated on Sheridan and Lee's path to Danville was blocked. He was then forced to attempt a turn towards Lynchburg. (By John Osborne)