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

The Ultimate Sacrifice

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

1. The Ultimate Sacrifice Marker

Inscription. The losses sustained by both armies during the Wilderness to Cold Harbor campaign made the world shudder. Casualties by some estimates averaged 2,000 per day, and at Cold Harbor nearly 18,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured.

While Confederate dead were removed and taken to Richmond, Union dead were hastily buried in shallow trenches near where they fell. In 1866 burial parties scoured the battlefields, collecting the remains and reburying them just east of here. Today 2,000 Union soldiers lie buried at the Cold Harbor National Cemetery.

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 1866.

Location. 37° 35.217′ N, 77° 17.283′ 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. Nowhere To Go (within shouting distance of this marker); Those People Stand No Chance (within

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shouting distance of this marker); Bayonets Are For Digging (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Killing Fields (about 600 feet away); Cold Harbor (about 700 feet away); The Waters Ran Red (about 700 feet away); A Lethal Occupation (about 700 feet away); Read's Battalion (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

More about this marker. The marker displays a photo of Cold Harbor Burial Parties

Also see . . .
1. Richmond National Battlefield Park. Cold Harbor (Submitted on March 9, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

2. US Department of Veterans Affairs. Cold Harbor National Cemetery (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

A burial party on the battlefield of Cold Harbor image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John Reekie, April 1865

3. A burial party on the battlefield of Cold Harbor

Library of Congress (LC-DIG-cwpb-04324)

Cold Harbor Vistor Center Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

4. Cold Harbor Vistor Center Plaque

"I have always regretted that the last assault at Cold Harbor was ever made" Ulysses S. Grant

Cold Harbor Visitor Center Display image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

5. Cold Harbor Visitor Center Display

The Battle of Cold Harbor - June 3, 1864. An overwhelming Confederate victory; a disastrous and useless Union defeat. “The time of actual advance was not over eight minutes. In that little period, more men fell bleeding as they advanced than in any other like period of time throughout the war.” Major General Martin T. McMahon, U.S.V.

Cold Harbor Battlefield image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

6. Cold Harbor Battlefield

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,321 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 9, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on November 5, 2021. 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 9, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.