Meade ordered his three corps commanders on the left to assault at once, without regard to the movements of their neighboring corps. 6871, 8788. I saw no live man lying on this ground. Grounds and walking trails around the house at the Totopotomoy Creek Battlefield are open from sunrise to sunset. Union artillery officer, Frank Wilkeson[51], On June 4 Grant tightened his lines by moving Burnside's corps behind Matadequin Creek as a reserve and moving Warren leftward to connect with Smith, shortening his lines about 3 miles (4.8km). He ordered Major General Winfield Hancock's II Corps to march to the left of the VI Corps. [25], Anderson led his attack with the brigade formerly commanded by veteran Brig. Pinned down by a tremendous volume of Confederate infantry and artillery fire, Grant's men could neither advance nor retreat. Grant was widely criticized in the Northern press for this lapse of judgment.[50]. Photo Credit: Lisa Mease, Physical Address: 5515 Anderson-Wright Dr., Mechanicsville, VA 23111. Cold Harbor Battlefield is one of the more sensitive battlefield sites on the trail. JAVASCRIPT IS DISABLED. Under Lee's personal supervision, these works were expanded and strengthened throughout the day. On the street of Anderson Wright Drive and street number is 5515. King, p. 311: "Under the accepted rules of warfare of the 19th century, the losing side in a battle was supposed to send a flag of truce to the victor to ask for a cease-fire that would allow both sides to recover their dead and wounded." During the two week period along the Totopotomoy and at Cold Harbor, the Federal army lost 12,000 killed, wounded, missing and captured while the Confederates suffered almost 4,000 casualties. North of the road, Brig. Lee did not take the bait and beat Grant to the North Anna. Enter the site and park at the visitor's center. 285286; Eicher, pp. One of Gibbon's men, complaining of a lack of reconnaissance, wrote, "We felt it was murder, not war, or at best a very serious mistake had been made. Exhausted by a brutal night march over narrow, dusty roads, the II Corps did not arrive until 6:30 a.m. Grant postponed the attack until 5 p.m. Later that day, he approved a postponement until 4:30 a.m. of June 3 because of the spent condition of Hancock's men. He and Lee traded notes across the lines from June 5 to 7 without coming to an agreement, and when Grant formally requested a two-hour cessation of hostilities, it was too late for most of the unfortunate wounded, who were now bloated corpses. If Grant pursued, the pointed wedge of the inverted V would split his army and Lee could concentrate on interior lines to defeat one wing; the other Union wing would have to cross the North Anna twice to support the attacked wing. Several of the generals, including Upton and Meade, were furious at Grant for ordering an assault without proper reconnaissance. Gregg in the Battle of Haw's Shop. Grant's next target was Petersburg and the railroads that provided needed supplies to the Confederate army. Find 2 external resources related to Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitors Center. Salmon, pp. [30], While action continued on the southern end of the battlefield, the three corps of Hancock, Burnside, and Warren were occupying a 5-mile line that stretched southeast to Bethesda Church, facing the Confederates under A.P. On May 31, as Grant's army once again swung around the right flank of Lee's army, Union cavalry seized the crossroads of Old Cold Harbor, about 10 miles northeast of the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, holding it against Confederate attacks until the Union infantry arrived. Both Union and Confederate casualties could be high, but the Union had greater resources to replace lost soldiers and equipment. 286, 290; King, p. 305. Trudeau, pp. Breckinridge drove a small Union force off Turkey Hill, which dominated the southern part of the battlefield. Wright's VI Corps had not moved out until after midnight and was on a 15 miles (24km) march. Although the cost was great, Grant's larger army finished the campaign with lower relative casualties than Lee's. 9495; Welcher, pp. On June 12 the Army of the Potomac finally disengaged to march southeast to cross the James and threaten Petersburg, a crucial rail junction south of Richmond. It also offers Mechanicsville maps and navigational resources, information on Mechanicsville tours, and other useful resources for visitors. "[35], Robert E. Lee took advantage of the Union delays to bolster his defenses. 671, 679, 683; Salmon, p. 288; Furgurson, pp. On that same day, a small cavalry engagement at Matadequin Creek (the Battle of Old Church) drove an outnumbered Confederate cavalry brigade to the crossroads of Old Cold Harbor, verifying to Lee that Grant intended to move toward that vital intersection beyond Lee's right flank, attempting to avoid another stalemate on the Totopotomoy Creek line. Keitt's men approached the entrenched cavalry of Brig. [53], The Battle of Cold Harbor was the final victory won by Lee's army during the war (part of his forces won the Battle of the Crater the following month, during the Siege of Petersburg, but this did not represent a general engagement between the armies), and its most decisive in terms of casualties. It is very desirable you should join this attack, unless in your judgment it is impracticable." Garthright House, about 3/4 mile from the Visitor Center, is a separate plot administered by the National Park Service that preserves this building, used as a hospital during and after the battle. Gen. Francis C. Barlow and drove them off. Richmond, Rhea, pp. He launched a powerful assault at 6 a.m. that overran the Confederate skirmishers but mistakenly thought he had pierced the first line of earthworks and halted his corps to regroup before moving on, which he planned for that afternoon. From these crossroads, the Union army was positioned to receive reinforcements sailing up the Pamunkey River, and could attack either the Confederate capital or its Army of Northern Virginia. Catton, p. 267; Furgurson, pp. Today, Carolina chickadees and red-eyed vireos are heard around the earthenworks that wind through the area. Discover the leadup to the battle at the Haw's Shop and Totopotomoy Creek battlefields. No senior commander had reconnoitered the enemy position. Lee moved his army swiftly in response, heading for Atlee's Station on the Virginia Central Railroad, a point only 9 miles north of Richmond. Best Restaurants near Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitor Center - Treats & Treasures Country Store at Ellyson's Garage, Hillbilly Red's Barbeque, The Giambancos Italian Grill, Fat Boys Bar and Grill, El Torito Mexican Restaurant & Grill, Cooper's Tavern, Riverbound Cafe, Milton's Pizza, Roberto Italian Restaurant, Jersey Girl's Kitchen Yelp The armies confronted each other on these lines until the night of June 12, when Grant again advanced by his left flank, marching to the James River. [34], Hancock's men marched almost all night and arrived too worn-out for an immediate attack that morning. The Visitor Center itself hosts a number of displays as well as a multimedia map that gives the history of both the 1862 and 1864 battles that were fought here. Lee also moved troops from A.P. Hoke obeyed what he understood to be his orders and did not join in the attack, which was quickly called back by Anderson. This afternoon examines the defence of the Kum River at Gongju. Electric map programs describe the 1862 Battle of Gaines' Mill and the 1864 Battle of Cold Harbor. Stuart. All events begin at the Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitor Center, 5515 Anderson Wright Drive, Mechanicsville, VA, 23111. 145148; Esposito, text for map 135. [3] But the disparity in numbers was no longer what it had beenGrant's reinforcements were often raw recruits and heavy artillery troops, pulled from the defenses of Washington, D.C., who were relatively inexperienced in infantry tactics, while most of Lee's had been veterans moved from inactive fronts, and who were soon entrenched in impressive fortifications. Beauregard to send the division of Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hoke, over 7,000 men, from below the James River. See 27 photos and 5 tips from 296 visitors to Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitor Center | Richmond National Battlefield Park. The grounds around the Visitor Center have a number of markers: Battle of Cold Harbor Information Display Lee was not certain of Grant's specific plans, however; if Grant was not intending to cross the Pamunkey in force at Hanovertown, the Union army could outflank him and head directly to Richmond. Although Lee was outnumbered, about 60,000 to 100,000, his men fought fiercely and the dense foliage provided a terrain advantage. The 50-acre park includes a driving tour, hiking trails and numerous Civil War trenches and rifle pits. Save 57 acres at Cold Harbor, Gaines' Mill, Glendale, First Deep Bottom and Malvern Hill Battlefields. 209210. Please respect this piece of military history. Fighting predominately dismounted and utilizing earthworks for protection, neither side achieved an advantage. Rhea, p. 234; Catton, p. 265. Davis, Daniel T., and Phillip S. Greenwalt. 295296; Welcher, pp. On June 6 Early probed Burnside's new position but could not advance through the impassable swamps. Anderson's men had been heavily engaged there on June 1, and it seemed unlikely that they had found the time to build substantial defenses. Please be mindful of the property lines while exploring Cold Harbor; adjacent properties are privately owned. Visitors Centers Nearby Salmon, pp. Candlelight tours begin at 8:30 pm. Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitor Center does not offer reservations through Recreation.gov. Touring Cold Harbor Battlefield Cold Harbor Touring Map National Park Service STOP 1: VISITOR CENTER Confederate troops established a defensive position near here following Sheridan's cavalry attack on May 31 and again reformed here after repulsing the Union infantry charge of June 1. Phone: (804) 730-5025 149151. [9] Meade was dissatisfied with Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan's Union cavalry's performance and released it from its reconnaissance and screening duties for the main body of the army to pursue and defeat the Confederate cavalry under Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Second, on June 7 Grant dispatched his cavalry under Sheridan (the divisions of Brig. This small cemetery contains the remains of more than 2,000 Union soldiers, over 1,300 of them unknown. But his subordinates did not coordinate correctly. As more of Hoke's and Anderson's men streamed in, Union cavalry commander Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan became concerned and ordered Torbert to pull back toward Old Church. It also lowered the morale of his remaining troops. This is the most wildlife-rich part of the park, due to the thicker vegetation. Grant agreed to let the men rest and postponed the attack until 5 p.m., and then again until 4:30a.m. on June 3. Stay up-to-date on our FREE educational resources & professional development opportunities, all designed to support your work teaching American history. 151152; Rhea, pp. Please see website for visitor center hours. The Cold Harbor Battlefield is roughly 12 miles from Richmond and is a part of the Richmond National Battlefield Park. The Rebels then started digging new positions a half mile to the southwest. The National Park Visitor Center is on Cold Harbor Road about nine miles from downtown Richmond and a little over two miles from exit 34 of Interstate 295. Confederate President Jefferson Davis directed Gen. P.G.T. Peter A. Porter and H. Boyd McKeen) lost as casualties. [36], Lee's engineers used their time effectively and constructed the "most ingenious defensive configuration the war had yet witnessed." In the final stage, Lee entrenched his army within besieged Petersburg before finally retreating westward across Virginia. [11], Grant used Upton's assault technique on a much larger scale on May 12 when he ordered the 15,000 men of Maj. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock's corps to assault the Mule Shoe. But all had had enough. Temporarily attached to the Army of the Potomac from the Army of the James. I may be mistaken but I feel that our success over Lee's army is already assured. The National Park Visitor Center is on Cold Harbor Road about nine miles from downtown Richmond and a little over two miles from exit 34 of Interstate 295. 360361; Grimsley, pp. Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw, which was now under a less experienced South Carolina politician, Col. Laurence M. Keitt. 3237, 4144, 5057; Eicher, pp. Reinforcements under Major General John Breckinridge and Lieutenant General Ambrose Hill arrived and fortified the Confederate right. The Henry Hill Walking Tour is a one mile loop that starts behind the Visitor Center. Hoke failed to press the attack and Sheridan's troopers, armed with Spencer repeating carbines, easily repulsed the assault. Disappointed by the failed attack Grant planned another advance for 5 a.m. on June 2. Hattaway & Jones, p. 525; Trudeau, pp. President Abraham Lincoln had long advocated this strategy for his generals, recognizing that the city would certainly fall after the loss of its principal defensive army. STOP 2: CONFEDERATE TURNOUT With cups, plates, and bayonets, they dug makeshift trenches. The next logical military objective for Grant was the crossroads styled by locals Old Cold Harbor. Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store. Approximately 30,000 Confederate war dead are buried at Oakwood and Hollywood Cemeteries in Richmond. See: Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 1. He asked Robert E. Lee, "General, if the enemy breaks your line, what reserve have you?" Torbert returned at 1 a.m. and was relieved to find that the Confederates had failed to notice his previous withdrawal. When they emerged in front of the Confederate line, rifle and artillery fire mowed them down. Cross the remarkable 8km long Geoga bridge/tunnel to Goeje Island to visit the Korean War history park with its museum, preserved former UN PoW camp, barracks, dioramas and 4D film. Every corpse I saw was as black as coal. [42], The only activity on the northern end of the field was by Burnside's IX Corps, facing Jubal Early. Foote, p. 290; Salmon, p. 296; Grimsley, p. 210; Trudeau, pp. The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 57,000 acres in 25 states! By late May 1864, only two of these continued to advance: Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's Atlanta Campaign and the Overland Campaign, in which Grant accompanied and directly supervised the Army of the Potomac and its commander, Maj. Gen. George G. Meade. 291293. Richmond, Union artillery bombarded the Confederates with a battery of eight Coehorn mortars; the Confederates responded by depressing the trail of a 24-pound howitzer and lobbing shells over the Union positions. Estimates of casualties that morning are from 3,000 to 7,000 on the Union side, no more than 1,500 on the Confederate. Gouverneur K. Warren and John Sedgwick unsuccessfully attempted to dislodge the Confederates under Maj. Gen. Richard H. Anderson from Laurel Hill, a position that was blocking them from Spotsylvania Court House. First, in the Shenandoah Valley, Maj. Gen. David Hunter was making progress against Confederate forces, and Grant hoped that by interdicting Lee's supplies, the Confederate general would be forced to dispatch reinforcements to the Valley. COLD HARBOR BATTLEFIELD VISITOR CENTER - 51 Photos & 17 Reviews - 5515 Anderson-wright Dr, Mechanicsville, Virginia - Landmarks & Historical Buildings - Phone Number - Yelp Restaurants Home Services Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitor Center 17 reviews Unclaimed Landmarks & Historical Buildings, Visitor Centers Edit Closed 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM See hours Furgurson, pp. Old Cold Harbor Crossroads, 1/2 mile east of here, was a valuable prize for the Federal army if Grant was to threaten Richmond. STOP 1: VISITOR CENTER South side of the Visitor Center from the parking lot. Union soldiers carried away all items of value, except for a crystal compote bowl saved by Mrs. Burnett. 276277; King, p. 297; Welcher, p. 989. Hancock advised against the move. (3735'07.3N 7717'13.0W; map) The Visitor Center is the ideal starting point for a visit to the Cold Harbor battlefield. He wrote to the Army's chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck: "Lee's army is really whipped. These breastworks were dug and manned by troops of Confederate Lieutenant General Richard Anderson's First Corps. During the day on Saturday and Sunday, children are invited to complete a scavenger hunt worksheet, available at the visitor center, and receive a Junior Ranger patch. Cold Harbor Waud drawing of the Battle of Cold Harbor. Richmond, Both Grant and Lee, whose armies had suffered enormous casualties in the Overland Campaign, received reinforcements. By moving south of the river, Lee hoped that Grant would assume that he was retreating, leaving only a token force to prevent a crossing at Ox Ford. Grimsley, pp. From June 4 to June 12 both armies fortified their positions and settled into siege warfare. Wright's men increased their rifle fire but stayed in place. 280282; Eicher, pp. 4952; Salmon, p. 288; Grimsley, pp. Closures: Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, Exhibits: The museum focuses on the Confederate medical story and contains exhibits on medical equipment and hospital life, including information on the men and women who staffed Chimborazo hospital. County Office is not affiliated with any government agency. Robert E. Rodes and Stephen Dodson Ramseur drove the Union troops back in the Battle of Bethesda Church, but Ramseur's advance was stopped by a fierce stand of infantry and artillery fire. Cold Harbor Rd, turn left onto Anderson-Wright Drive, and either park in the visitor center parking lot or continue on Anderson-Wright Drive to tour the battlefield by vehicle. 128 reviews About At the Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitor Center in Hanover County an electronic battle-map program describes the 1862 battle of Gaines' Mill and the 1864 battle of Cold Harbor. He told his staff that the whole attack was, "simply an order to slaughter my best troops. Our FREE Virtual Teacher Institute is the can't miss online educator event of the summer. Hill's Third Corps, the divisions of Brig. Breckinridge's reserves counterattacked these men from the division of Brig. Grimsley, pp. Rhea, p. 241; Furgurson, p. 99; Grimsley, pp. The trail crosses the loop drive at Bloody Run and continues to the field behind the visitors center. The Visitor Center is a great place to begin both the Manassas Battlefield Driving Tour and the Henry Hill Walking Tour. The National Park Service estimates that 15,500 soldiers, Union and Confederate, were either killed or wounded during the battle. As the days passed these works became the main Federal trench line. TheVisitor Centeris the ideal starting point for a visit to the Cold Harbor battlefield. The loop road through the battlefield, which passes several different habitat types, can be walked or driven, making Cold Harbor ideal for accessible wildlife viewing. Although there were no more large-scale attacks, casualty figures for the entire battle were twice as large as from the June 3 assault alone. The Killing Fields wayside marker Hanover County also maintains a small 50 acre park adjacent to the NPS's Cold Harbor holdings. The following twelve days saw Grant's Army of the Potomac attacking the heavily entrenched line of the Army of Northern VA in what was one of the bloodiest battles in American history. He wrote to the V Corps commander, "Generals Wright and Smith will attack this evening. 3 mi + Leaflet Click to view and interact with the map Full Map 1 Civil War | Battlefield Gaines' Mill Battlefield Mechanicsville, VA 2 Civil War | Battlefield Beaver Dam Creek Battlefield Mechanicsville, VA 3 Civil War | Battlefield Seven Pines Battlefield 112113. CLOSED Monday and Tuesday For the morning assault on June 3, he can account for only 3,500 to 4,000 Union killed, wounded, and missing, and estimates that for the entire day the Union suffered about 6,000 casualties, compared to Lee's 1,000 to 1,500. I earnestly beg that he may at once be relieved of duty with this army." Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor Before that, the Army of Northern Virginia seemed to have acquired a wholesome regard for the courage, endurance, and soldierly qualities generally of the Army of the Potomac. Crawford. Gen. Robert E. Rodes on the left, Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon on the rightused this area as their avenue of approach for an attack that began at 7 p.m. Warren later described this attack as a "feeler", and despite some initial successes, aided by the poor battle management of Crittenden, both Confederate probes were repulsed. Gen. Eppa Hunton's brigade from his corps reserve. A Confederate described the carnage of double-canister artillery fire as "deadly, bloody work." This building is also the Headquarters for Richmond National Battlefield Park/Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site. Trudeau, p. 341, cites 54,000 Union, 32,000 Confederate. 259260; Furgurson, pp. JUNE 3 Address, Phone Number, and Hours for Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitors Center, a Visitors Center, at Anderson Wright Drive, Mechanicsville VA. View map of Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitors Center, and get driving directions from your location. Terms and Conditions. [58], In 2008, the Civil War Trust (a division of the American Battlefield Trust) placed the Cold Harbor battlefield on its Ten Most Endangered Battlefields list. Sharpshooters worked continuously, killing many. The Union army, in attempting the futile assault, lost 10,000 to 13,000 men over twelve days. Below you'll find the ultimate guide to Richmond National Battlefield Park. Lee ordered cavalry under Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton to make a reconnaissance in force, break through the Union cavalry screen, and find the Union infantry. Lee was ready. One blood-spattered diary from a Union soldier found after the battle included a final entry: "June 3. Under similar circumstances, previous Union commanders had chosen to withdraw behind the Rappahannock, but Grant instead ordered Meade to move around Lee's right flank and seize the important crossroads at Spotsylvania Court House to the southeast, hoping that by interposing his army between Lee and Richmond, he could lure the Confederates into another battle on a more favorable field. Esposito, text to map 137, cites 55,000 Union, 2040,000 Confederate. There, his men would be well-positioned behind a stream known as Totopotomoy Creek to defend against Grant if he moved against the railroads or Richmond. Gen. Alfred T. A. Torbert increased pressure on the Confederates, Robert E. Lee ordered Anderson's First Corps to shift right from Totopotomoy Creek to support the cavalry. Four other National Cemeteries near Richmond - Seven Pines, Glendale, Fort Harrison and Richmond - were created by an act of Congress to honor those Union soldiers who died while in service to their country. CLOSED Monday and Tuesday. The gap between Hoke's and Kershaw's Confederate divisions was about 300 yards farther along the tour road. Sign up for our quarterly email series highlighting the environmental benefits of battlefield preservation. Union casualties are from Bonekemper, p. 311, Confederate from Young, p. 240. From here the Confederate battle line extended north over 4 miles and south across Route 156 for 1.5 miles before anchoring on the Chickahominy River. [10], Near Spotsylvania Court House, fighting occurred on and off from May 8 through May 21, as Grant tried various schemes to break the Confederate line. 120121; Grimsley, p. 207; Trudeau, pp. Supporting attacks by Warren and by Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside were unsuccessful. "[38], At 4:30a.m. on June 3, the three Union corps began to advance through a thick ground fog. Surgical and medical displays, 17 minute film. Smith's XVIII Corps had mistakenly been sent to New Castle Ferry on the Pamunkey River, several miles away, and did not reach Old Cold Harbor in time to assist Torbert. Welcher, 980; Grimsley, p. 141; Salmon, p. 285; Kennedy, p. 289; Trudeau, pp. Gen. William T. Wofford, through a swampy, brush-filled ravine. Shelton House at Rural Plains: Shelby Foote, p. 292, claims that the 7,000 casualties were suffered in the first 8 minutes of the battle. On June 2, the remainder of both armies arrived and the Confederates built an elaborate series of fortifications 7 miles long. However, despite anticipating that Grant might shift across the James, Lee was taken by surprise when it occurred. The Confederate position, now well entrenched, proved too strong for the Union troops. Gens. (The accuracy of this story is disputed as Porter is the only source.) Claims for Union June 3 casualties in the 7,000 range can be found in Grimsley, p. 219, McPherson, p. 735, Catton, p. 267, and Esposito, text for map 136. 673674; Salmon, pp. Heavy skirmish lines suppressed any ability of the Union to determine the strength or exact positions of the Confederate entrenchments. Eicher, pp. In less than an hour, thousands of Federal soldiers lay dead and dying between the lines. Address 5515 Anderson Wright Drive Mechanicsville , Virginia , 23111 Phone 804-226-1981 Hours Open Daily 9:00 AM-5:00 PM Map of Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitors Center in Mechanicsville, Virginia View map of Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitors Center, and get driving directions from your location. [12], Grant's objective following Spotsylvania was the North Anna River, about 25 miles (40km) south. On May 23, Warren's V Corps crossed the river at Jericho Mills, fighting off an attack by A.P. PDF File: Rappahannock River Tour: 43: Steamboat Museum, Irvington: Lancaster Co. Start in downtown Irvington and explore the areas nearby. I might say the same thing of the assault of the 22d of May, 1863, at Vicksburg. 266267; Grimsley, p. 201; Furgurson, pp. (373507.3N 771713.0W;map). Cold Harbor Battlefield Park 4.5 129 reviews #1 of 17 things to do in Mechanicsville Battlefields Visit website Call Write a review What people are saying By LoveScotland " Site of horror and slaughter " Jun 2023 The site of Union Gen. Grant's biggest error, you can see earthworks through the preserved portion of the park as wel. 280, 297. Park battlefield areas are open sunrise to sunset. [54], Estimates vary as to the casualties at Cold Harbor. Gen. Henry H. Lockwood, which began to march at 6 p.m., but no adequate reconnaissance of the road network had been conducted and Lockwood was not able to reach the impending battle in time to make a difference. It will reopen on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Stay up-to-date on the American Battlefield Trust's battlefield preservation efforts, travel tips, upcoming events, history content and more. Visitors are advised to wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes for walking. McPherson, p. 733, cites 109,000 Union, 59,000 Confederate. The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 280 acres at Cold Harbor Battlefield. David McM. [45] Grant commented after the war: I have always regretted that the last assault at Cold Harbor was ever made. Located at 5515 Anderson Wright Dr., Mechanicsville, VA 23111.