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

Keep Digging

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

1. Keep Digging Marker

Inscription. These trenches represent a dramatic change in battlefield tactics. When the two armies met on this ground in 1862, soldiers fought shoulder to shoulder; victory was often dependent upon the success or failure of a dramatic charge.

By 1864 field fortifications played an increasingly significant role in determining the outcome of a battle. Despite the obvious advantage held by an entrenched army, commanders continued to order frontal assaults against these nearly impregnable positions, resulting in enormous casualties.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 37° 35.307′ N, 77° 17.018′ W. Marker is near Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. It can be reached from the intersection of Anderson-Wright Drive and Cold Harbor Road (Virginia Route 156). This marker is located along the walking trail in the Cold Harbor Battlefield Unit of the Richmond National Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5515 Anderson-Wright Drive, 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Captured Trench (a few steps from this marker); Keep Your Head Down (within shouting distance

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of this marker); We Have Broken Through (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Cold Harbor (within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Work at Cold Harbor (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stand Guard And Stay Awake (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Cold Harbor (about 600 feet away); A Deadly Delay (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

Also see . . .
1. Richmond National Battlefield Park. Cold Harbor (Submitted on March 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

2. 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.)

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 27, 2025

2. Keep Digging Marker

The trenches are just beyond, though they are more distinct off to the right slightly uphill.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 27, 2025

3. Keep Digging Marker

Trenches just south of the marker

Cold Harbor Walking Trail. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

4. Cold Harbor Walking Trail.

Cold Harbor Battlefield image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

5. Cold Harbor Battlefield

Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,175 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on April 16, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on March 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.