Cold Harbor

• Cold Harbor

  

  After a day of waiting and preparing, Ulysses S. Grant launched a massive assault across these fields against heavily fortified Confederate positions which resulted in heavy casualties for the Federals.

  Rob Shenk

• Satellite Image: Target Property at Cold Harbor

  

  The Civil War Trust is currently working to save a portion of the Cold Harbor battlefield where the 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery performed bravely in its first battle

  Google Earth

• 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery Monument

  

  Fresh from the defenses of Washington, the 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery was 1,500 strong when they were placed at the head of an assault on June 1, 1864. The "Heavies" lost roughly one-fifth of their number, including the commanding officer, Col. Elisha Kellogg.

  Rob Shenk

• Trenches at Cold Harbor

  

  Union troops assaulted trenches like this one on the early morning of June 3, 1864. Of this charge Ulysses S. Grant later said "no advantage whatever was gained to compensate for the heavy loss we sustained."

  Rob Shenk

• 7th New York Heavy Artillery at Cold Harbor

  

  This sketch by artist Alfred Waud captures the 7th New York Heavy Artillery's breakthrough at Edgar's Salient on June 3, 1864.

  Library of Congress

• Confederate Vantage Point

  

  View from the Confederate trenches toward the Union attack.

  Rob Shenk

• Garthright House

  

  The home of Miles and Margaret Garthright was caught in the middle of some of the most desperate fighting at Cold Harbor. Union troops occupied this ground on June 1 and used it as a staging area for their assaults on June 3. The house later served as a hospital.

  Rob Shenk

• Cold Harbor Cemetery Marker

  

  Established in 1866, the Cold Harbor National Cemetery is the final resting place for nearly 2,000 soldiers who died at the battles of Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill and Cold Harbor.

  Rob Shenk

• Unknown Hero

  

  Of the nearly 2,000 Civil War graves at the Cold Harbor National Cemetery, more than 1,200, including this one, contain the remains of unknown soldiers.

  Rob Shenk

• Monuments at Cold Harbor

  

  Erected in 1909, these monuments to the 8th New York Heavy Artillery (left) and the soldiers of Pennsylvania, commemorate those who lost their lives in the fruitless assaults at Cold Harbor.

  Rob Shenk

• Gordon Rhea at Cold Harbor

  

  Historian and noted author Gordon Rhea discusses the fighting at Cold Harbor with Civil War Trust Color Bearers during a November 2010 tour of the battlefield.

  Rob Shenk