Mechanicsville in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
2nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery
Connecticut Remembers Her Fallen Sons
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007
1. 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery Marker
Late on the afternoon of June 1, 1864, Col. Elisha Strong Kellogg and his 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery attacked Confederate entrenchments to the west along with other Federal troops from the Sixth and the Eighteenth Corps. Kellogg advanced his 1500 men across this ground in three battalions with weapons at port arms.
The combined Union attacks resulted in the capture of approximately 300 prisoners. Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hokes Confederate division halted their further progress with a withering fire delivered from the left flank. Kellogg was killed at the head of the first battalion in front of the abattis and breastworks held by Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Clingmans brigade.
The remaining men of the 2nd Connecticut regrouped under Col. Emory Upton, and assisted in the capture of the Confederate line at sunset. However, more than 330 of its men fell killed and wounded in these attacks.
May this unit that began the day raw and inexperienced nevermore be known as a band box regiment .
Top plaque:
Killed or Mortally Wounded at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1-12, 1864
Col. Elisha S. Kellogg, Commanding
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 1, 1864.
Location. 37°
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont, in Central Virginia, and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Bloody Baptism of Fire (a few steps from this marker); Hot Work at Cold Harbor (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); We Have Broken Through (about 500 feet away); A Captured Trench (about 500 feet away); Stand Guard And Stay Awake (about 600 feet away); Keep Digging (about 600 feet away); Battle of Cold Harbor (about 600 feet away); Keep Your Head Down (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.
More about this marker. The top plaque lists all members of the 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery who lost their lives at the Battle of Cold Harbor. The front of the monument contains the symbol of the Union VI Corps.
Also see . . .
1. 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery Regiment. The Civil War in the East website entry (Submitted on June 16, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. 2d Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery Regiment. Reenactment group website homepage (Submitted on January 4, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 27, 2025
2. 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery Marker
3. Battle of Cold Harbor. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on June 16, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 27, 2025
3. 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery Marker
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 27, 2025
4. 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007
5. Cold Harbor Battlefield
Union troops, including members of the 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery, advanced across this ground on June 1, 1864 towards the entrenched Confederates. Many of the casualties occured at this site, just north of the marker.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007
6. Richmond National Battlefield Park
The 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery Marker is in the Cold Harbor Battlefield Unit of Richmond National Battlefield Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,165 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on January 12, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on January 4, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 16, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on January 4, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
