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

Firing Blind

November 28, 2014

1. Firing Blind Marker

Inscription. The mounds seen here might be improvised mortar positions built by Confederate artillerists in June 1864. Normal cannon pits had fields of fire, often established by keeping the front parapet low or by building a platform on which the gun could sit. Neither feature is present here. Given the configuration of the pits, it is very possible that the Confederates placed artillery here at a sharp angle, with the barrels pointing skyward. A small powder charge and the correct elevation would convert field artillery into ersatz mortars, well suited to lob shells into the Union lines only 500 yards east of here.

Erected 2014 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 1864.

Location. 37° 35.514′ N, 77° 17.626′ 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) when traveling west. 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 Tramp of Marching Feet (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Between the Lines (approx. ¼ mile away); Confederate Breastworks

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Confederate Fortifications (approx. ¼ mile away); Confederate Position (approx. 0.3 miles away); Grant's Grand Assault (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Waters Ran Red (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Cold Harbor Killing Fields (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

More about this marker. This trail side marker is part of the new 0.9 mile walking trail on the western end of the Cold Harbor battlefield park.

Also see . . . Richmond National Battlefield Park. National Park Service (Submitted on December 6, 2014.)

Confederate cannon position behind the "Firing Blind" marker. image. Click for full size.

2. Confederate cannon position behind the "Firing Blind" marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2014, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 444 times since then and 11 times this year. Last updated on December 21, 2014, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on December 6, 2014, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on December 21, 2014. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.