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

A Lethal Occupation

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

1. A Lethal Occupation Marker

Inscription. From this advanced Confederate line, constructed after the grand Union assault of June 3, Lee’s sharpshooters searched for targets. They were near enough to the Federal line that enemy voices could be heard.

Between June 3 and June 12 constant skirmishing, artillery firing, and the deadly business of the Union and Confederate sharpshooters characterized the Cold Harbor fighting. Up and down the lines soldiers feared the work of these marksmen with their long range rifles. One Virginia artilleryman considered the sharpshooter “little better than a human tiger lying in wait for blood.”

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 37° 35.319′ N, 77° 17.205′ W. Marker is near Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Anderson-Wright Drive and Cold Harbor Road (Virginia Route 156). This marker is located along the walking trail in the 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. The Waters Ran Red (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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A Deadly Delay (about 500 feet away); Bayonets Are For Digging (about 500 feet away); Those People Stand No Chance (about 600 feet away); Nowhere To Go (about 600 feet away); Stand Guard And Stay Awake (about 700 feet away); The Ultimate Sacrifice (about 700 feet away); A Captured Trench (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

Also see . . .
1. Richmond National Battlefield Park. Cold Harbor (Submitted on March 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

2. CWSAC Battle Summary. Cold Harbor (Submitted on March 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

3. Cold Harbor Battlefield Virtual Tour by Markers. This is one of the many markers along the walking trail, extended loop trail, and auto tour route in the Cold Harbor Battlefield Unit of the Richmond National Battlefield Park. (Submitted on March 9, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Cold Harbor Walking Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

2. Cold Harbor Walking Trail

Cold Harbor Battlefield image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

3. Cold Harbor Battlefield

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 964 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.