brigadier general romeyn b. ayres's division of the v corps also made a reconnaissance toward white oak road a short distance west of claiborne road. the lead brigade under colonel frederick winthrop crossed a swollen branch of gravelly run which was to feature in the following day's battle. two other brigades did not cross gravelly run but began to entrench. winthrop's men saw the movement west of pickett's brigades and captured a confederate officer who provided information about the movement of pickett's force that was sent to meade. in his advanced position opposite forested terrain, ayres saw only empty space to the northeast and failed to see heavy fortifications near the intersection of white oak road and claiborne road which angled sharply back to hatcher's run directly to his north. as dark approached, ayres had a number of outposts prepared to cover his position, which turned out to be about beyond the point where the confederate line veered sharply back to the north. ayres ordered the two brigades which had not crossed gravelly run to come across and join winthrop's men at the s. dabney house at dawn.