on march 29, 1865, the union v corps under major general gouverneur k. warren moved to the end of the confederate's white oak road line, the far right flank of the confederate defenses. at the conclusion of the battle of lewis's farm on that day, warren's corps took control of advance confederate picket or outpost positions and occupied a segment of a key transportation and communication route, the boydton plank road, at the junction of the quaker road. warren's corps was the closest union infantry unit to major general philip sheridan's force which had moved about to dinwiddie court house, virginia west of the end of the confederate lines and just south of five forks, virginia. five forks was an important road junction for control of the critical confederate supply line of the south side railroad (sometimes shown as southside railroad).