Lee’s army by Deatonville was exhausted. Sheridan had delayed the Confederate column long enough for most of his troopers to move up and join the fight. So while the wagons prevented Lee from concentrating his forces they gave Sheridan the time and opportunity make concentrated attacks where ever he wanted.

As Lee approached Saylor’s Creek the cumulated effect of Sheridan’s attacks caused the Confederate column to split in half. The advanced portion under Longstreet motored on ahead to size Rice’s Depot where the food train was waiting. The back half of the Column found itself becoming more spread out and bogged down as the day progressed causing a large gap to form between the two halves.