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

Confederate Breastworks

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

1. Confederate Breastworks Marker

Inscription. This remarkably preserved stretch of the main Confederate line saw little action. Although the land here was much less wooded in 1864, its occupants appreciated the partial shelter offered by the low ground. The soldiers took advantage of it to erect some of the strongest positions to be seen anywhere on the battlefield. The Union front line is 500 yards east of here.

Both sides were sensitive to the presence of Bloody Run, which flows just to your right. Grant’s infantry had used the ravine to drive a temporary wedge into the advanced Confederate lines east of here on June 1. Notice that Lee’s men built some of their positions to face south and cover the ravine, undoubtedly in response to what had happened earlier.

Please do your part to insure the continued preservation of these resources by not walking or climbing on the earthworks.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1865.

Location. 37° 35.361′ N, 77° 17.394′ 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

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extended loop 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. Confederate Position (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Confederate Fortifications (about 600 feet away); The Waters Ran Red (about 700 feet away); Bayonets Are For Digging (about 700 feet away); Those People Stand No Chance (about 800 feet away); Nowhere To Go (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Lethal Occupation (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Ultimate Sacrifice (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.)

Confederate Breastworks image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

2. Confederate Breastworks

Cold Harbor Extended Loop Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

3. Cold Harbor Extended Loop Trail

Cold Harbor Battlefield image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

4. 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 1,356 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.