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On April 6, the Confederate cavalry fought stubbornly to secure the Appomattox River bridges against a flying column of Union infantry. They succeeded, and killed or captured the whole detachment. Confederate Gen. Dearing was mortally wounded.
But the next morning, on the 7th,the Confederate rearguard were clumsily handled. Maj. Gen. William Mahone pulled back too quickly, and elements of the II Corps came up against Gen. James Longstreet's rear guard attempting to fire the High Bridge and wagon bridge.
Union forces were able to save the wagon bridge over which the II Corps crossed in pursuit of Gen. Robert E. Lee's army. Failure to destroy this bridge enabled Union forces to catch up with the Confederates at Farmville, costing Lee the head start he sought.
