Near Mechanicsville in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Scars of Conflict
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 15, 2009
1. Scars of Conflict Marker
The earthworks in front of you are typical of the hundreds of pits that remain on the Cold Harbor battlefield. We do not know who built them, or even why; perhaps they sheltered the cannoneers of the battery above you. One thing is certain: these mounds symbolize the arrival of a new, futuristic style of warfare. The days of open-field combat were over.
Erected by Hanover County Parks and Recreation, National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 37° 35.1′ N, 77° 16.625′ W. Marker is near Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. It can be reached from Cold Harbor Road (State Highway 156) 0.2 miles east of Boatswain Lane, on the right when traveling east. This marker is located along a one-mile trail in the 50-acre Cold Harbor Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6005 Cold Harbor Road, Mechanicsville VA 23111, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Hanover County Parks and Recreation. Cold Harbor Battlefield Park (Submitted on February 17, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
2. Richmond National Battlefield Park. Cold Harbor (Submitted on February 17, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
3. CWSAC Battle Summary. Cold Harbor (Submitted on February 17, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
4. Cold Harbor Battlefield Park Walking Trail. This marker is one along the walking trail around a portion of the Cold Harbor Battlefield preserved by Hanover County Parks and Recreation. (Submitted on February 17, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 15, 2009
2. Scars of Conflict Marker
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 27, 2025
3. Scars of Conflict
One of the pits mentioned by the marker. There is a marshy, low-lying watershed just beyond, and at least two other Federal artillery batteries on the hill opposite; this is therefore probably a rifle pit guarding any approach through the marshy ravine.
Photographed by Usgs
4. Scars of Conflict
The marker's location is indicated by the white circle on this LiDAR image from the USGS' 3D Elevation Program. The pit shown in the previous photo is just to the right of it, immediately southeast. The trio of Federal artillery batteries are evident, with the one within the park just to the left of the white circle, and two others that are on private property (owned by the American Battlefield Trust) off to the east. Note the wide water feature running between, and the taper as the elevation decreases to the north. Camping in a pit like this, virtually between artillery batteries and under the firing arcs of the gun positions to the east, is unlikely - but guarding that ravine approach is a practical application of such a pit.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,639 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 17, 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.
