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

We Must Hold This Line

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007

1. We Must Hold This Line Marker

Inscription. After two days of bitter combat, Confederate infantry built their final line of defense across this spot. Remnants of that line are visible emerging from the woods to your left. Richmond stood only nine miles to the southwest and General Lee knew that he must hold here. A Federal victory could mean the destruction of his army and the fall of the Confederate capital.

Once completed, the opposing battle lines at Cold Harbor stretching nearly seven miles. You are standing at the center of the Confederate position.

Erected by Richmond National Battlefield Park - National Park Service.

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

Location. 37° 35.103′ N, 77° 17.22′ W. Marker is in Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. Marker is at the intersection of Anderson Wright Drive and Cold Harbor Road (Virginia Route 156), on the right when traveling north on Anderson Wright Drive. Marker is near the Visitor Center in the Cold Harbor Battlefield Unit of Richmond National Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. Walk in the Footsteps of History (here, next to this marker); Cold Harbor (within shouting distance of

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this marker); Killing Fields (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Cold Harbor (within shouting distance of this marker); Read's Battalion (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ultimate Sacrifice (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nowhere To Go (approx. 0.2 miles away); Those People Stand No Chance (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

Also see . . .
1. Cold Harbor. CMSAC Battle Summaries webpage. (Submitted on January 12, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. Cold Harbor. Richmond National Battlefield. (Submitted on January 12, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

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 Fortifictions image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007

2. Cold Harbor Fortifictions

These Confederate earthworks are located a short distance from the marker.

Richmond National Battlefield Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007

3. Richmond National Battlefield Park

Marker is located in the Cold Harbor Battlefield Unit of Richmond National Battlefield Park.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,084 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 12, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.