Before they were withdrawn, however, and while most of Lee's force was on that side of the river, Warren had been sent with most of the 5th corps to capture the Weldon Railroad.

He took up his line of march well back to the rear, south of the enemy, while the troops remaining in the trenches extended so as to cover that part of the line which he had vacated by moving out.

From our left, near the old line, it was about three miles to the Weldon Railroad.

A division was ordered from the right of the Petersburg line to reinforce Warren, while a division was brought back from the north side of the James River to take its place.
This road was very important to the enemy.

The limits from which his supplies had been drawn were already very much contracted, and I knew that he must fight desperately to protect it.