In this way he came very near succeeding in getting to his provision trains and eluding us with at least part of his army.
As expected, Lee's troops had moved during the night before, and our army in moving upon Amelia Court House soon encountered them.

There was a good deal of fighting before Sailor's Creek was reached.

Our cavalry charged in upon a body of theirs which was escorting a wagon train in order to get it past our left.

A severe engagement ensued, in which we captured many prisoners, and many men also were killed and wounded.
There was as much gallantry displayed by some of the Confederates in these little engagements as was displayed at any time during the war, notwithstanding the sad defeats of the past week.
The armies finally met on Sailor's Creek, when a heavy engagement took place, in which infantry, artillery and cavalry were all brought into action.

Our men on the right, as they were brought in against the enemy, came in on higher ground, and upon his flank, giving us every advantage to be derived from the lay of the country.