The Battle of Sailor's Creek was actually three separate engagements

The Battle of Sailor's Creek is actually three separate actions, despite the fact that it is sometimes referred to as a single conflict. First, on the James Lockett Farm, the Union Second Corps led by Gen. Andrew Humphreys was obliged to confront the Confederate rear guard, commanded by Gen. John Gordon. General Horatio Wright's Union Sixth Corps attacked Gen. Richard Ewell's two divisions in the vicinity of the James Hillsman Farm to the south after bombarding them with fire. Finally, in the area of Marshall's Crossroads, Confederate forces commanded by Gen. Richard Anderson engaged three divisions of Union cavalry.

These three different conflicts took place roughly simultaneously with one another, giving the impression of a single massive general conflict. However, Humphreys and Gordon's fight at the Lockett Farm took occurred two miles to the northwest of the other two clashes. Additionally, despite the geographical proximity of the Wright-Ewell and Merritt-Anderson battles, neither of the Federal commanders made a concerted effort to work with the other. More importantly, the two Confederate corps there were unable to assist one another because they were fighting practically side by side.