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

Battle of Cold Harbor

Flag of Truce

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 28, 2009

1. Battle of Cold Harbor Marker

Inscription. On 5 June 1864, two hot days after Gen. Robert E. Lee's bloody repulse of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's frontal assault, Federal Lt. Col. Theodore Lyman met Confederate Maj. Thomas J. Wooten nearby on Cold Harbor Road to initiate written communication on the plight of the Union wounded between the lines. Confederate Gen. A. P. Hill's trenches stood 800 yards west, and skirmishers' rifle pits survive only 200 yards away. Because Lee and Grant disagreed on terms, two more days elapsed before they observed a two-hour flag of truce. Only a few wounded Federals were found alive. The remainder had either died, crawled to safety, or been retrieved under cover of darkness.

Erected 2005 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-130.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Vexillology, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 5, 1864.

Location. 37° 33.954′ N, 77° 15.982′ W. Marker is near Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. It is at the intersection of Cold Harbor Road (State Highway 156) and Turkey Hollow Place, on the right when traveling south on Cold Harbor Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mechanicsville VA 23111, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Chickahominy Water Trail (approx. one mile away); Seven Days Battles (approx. 1.1 miles away); Grapevine Bridge (approx. 1.1 miles away); a different marker also named Seven Days Battles (approx. 1.1 miles away); a different marker also named Seven Days Battles (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Trent House (approx. 1.4 miles away); Springfield Plantation (approx. 1.4 miles away); Scars of Conflict (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 28, 2009

2. Battle of Cold Harbor Marker

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 27, 2025

3. Trench Line

A short trench line, possibly the rifle pits referenced in the marker, are just across the road and visible from the shoulder if one looks closely. Here they are marked most visibly by moss patches on the slight rise of the breastwork. However, they're only about 200 feet away - the marker refers to rifle pits 200 yards away.

Truce Area Earthworks image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 27, 2025

4. Truce Area Earthworks

View across the road from the marker (on the south side of Turkey Hollow Place) looking towards the woods that hold the short stretch of surviving earthworks. The visitor is truly "between the lines" standing here.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,828 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 27, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on April 12, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.