Near Mechanicsville in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Union Earthworks

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, February 28, 2009

1. Union Earth Works Marker

Inscription. Thousands of Union soldiers lived in these fortifications for eleven long days in 1864. The piles of freshly shoveled dirt sheltered the men from the scorching June sun while shielding them from enemy missiles. The lengthy halt at Cold Harbor allowed soldiers of both armies to further perfect the art of self-protection. Powerful defenses like these saved lives, made offensive operations undesirable to both army commanders, and contributed to the stalemate from June 3-12.

Tired Union infantrymen built these earthworks between June 1-3, 1864, while under Confederate fire, although the heavy woods here offered some safety. These fortifications are the most visible legacy of what happened here, but they also are the most fragile historic resource on the battlefield. Please admire them without damaging them.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 37° 35.555′ N, 77° 17.043′ W. Marker is near Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. Marker can be reached from Anderson-Wright Drive, 0.3 miles north of Cold Harbor Road (Route 156), on the left when traveling south. This marker is located on the extended loop trail in the

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Cold Harbor Battlefield Unit of the Richmond National Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5515 Anderson-Wright Drive, Mechanicsville VA 23111, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. In Reserve (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Grant's Grand Assault (about 800 feet away); The Cold Harbor Killing Fields (approx. 0.2 miles away); 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Bloody Baptism of Fire (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stand Guard And Stay Awake (approx. ¼ mile away); We Have Broken Through (approx. ¼ mile away); A Deadly Delay (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

Also see . . .
1. Richmond National Battlefield Park. Cold Harbor. (Submitted on February 28, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

2. CWSAC Battle Summary. Cold Harbor. (Submitted on February 28, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, February 28, 2009

2. Union Earth Works Marker

Union Earth Works on the extended loop trail. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, February 28, 2009

3. Union Earth Works on the extended loop trail.

Extended loop trail east of Anderson-Wright Drive. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, February 28, 2009

4. Extended loop trail east of Anderson-Wright Drive.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,103 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 28, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.