Gen. George A. Custer and 1,500 Union soldiers advanced Cause_to_make_progress towards Charlottesville .

This raid Attack was an attempt by the Union to divert attention toward Charlottesville while a separate attempt was made to free Releasing prisoners of war Hostile_encounter being held in Richmond .

Custer and Philip Sheridan returned Arriving to Charlottesville in 1865 and occupied Control the town from March 3 to March 7 , a month before the Army of Northern Virginia surrendered Surrendering at Appomattox .