Federal cavalry caused three corps of the Army of Northern Virginia to become isolated, thus setting the stage for the fighting along Sailor's Creek

Since the start of the Appomattox campaign, Gen. Phil Sheridan's Union cavalry had been pursuing Lee's army. The Yankee cavalry staged a series of hit-and-run attacks on the Confederates' line of retreat on April 6, 1865, as they rode from Amelia Court House to Farmville. One such Federal attack, led by Gen. George Crook's division, forced the Confederate corps commanded by Gens. Richard Anderson, Richard Ewell, and John Gordon to halt their advance and prepare to oppose a general assault at Holt's Corner. The Confederates continued their march after receiving no assault.

However, the halt had placed Anderson's corps two miles away from the closest Confederate regiment to the west. Even worse, Union Gen. George Custer noticed this opening and blocked the path with his horse brigade. The Army of Northern Virginia was now cut off from Anderson and the two corps behind him.