On March 31, 1865, Union cavalry under Major General Sheridan advanced onto the high open plateau at Dinwiddie Court House, with Colonel Charles H. Smith's brigade picketing Fitzgerald's Ford at the crossing of Ford Station Road, Brigadier General Henry Davies' brigade guarding Danse's Ford a half mile to the north, Colonel Peter Stagg's brigade moving up the Crump Road toward White Oak Road, Colonel Charles Fitzhugh's brigade proceeding up the Dinwiddie Court House Road toward Five Forks, and Brigadier General Alfred Gibbs' brigade held in reserve at the Boisseau Farm. Confederate Major General Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry and Major General Pickett's infantry marched over muddy roads west of Chamberlain's Bed intending to cross at Fitzgerald's Ford and flank Sheridan's troops, but when entrenched Union cavalry blocked that crossing, Pickett's infantry retraced their steps and marched for Danse's Ford. At about 11 a.m., Major General W.H.F. "Rooney" Lee's cavalry attacked Smith's Federal brigade at Fitzgerald's Ford, where Smith's men, armed with Henry and Spencer repeating rifles, fiercely contested the crossing. North Carolina and Virginia units were repulsed with heavy casualties, with many Confederates killed or wounded in the creek and some overwhelmed by the rushing waters and drowned, prompting Smith to call on Davies at Danse's Ford for assistance.