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.
Battle of Cold Harbor. Flag of Truce. 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.
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 Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. 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. Marker 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.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,498 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 27, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
