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

Battle of Cold Harbor

The Field of the Heaviest Losses

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 18, 2003

1. Battle of Cold Harbor Marker

Inscription.
This was approximately the farthest point gained and held by the Federals in their assaults of June 3, 1864 on the Confederate main line, 130 yards to the west. The heaviest losses sustained by the Federals were along and on either side of this road.

Erected by Battlefield Markers Association. (Marker Number 26.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Freeman Markers (Richmond Battlefields) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 3, 1845.

Location. 37° 35.276′ N, 77° 17.018′ W. Marker is near Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. It is on Cold Harbor Road (Route 156), on the right when traveling west. Located within the Cold Harbor unit of the Richmond National Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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,

specifically in the Upper South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard.

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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: Keep Your Head Down (a few steps from this marker); Keep Digging (within shouting distance of this marker); A Captured Trench (within shouting distance of this marker); We Have Broken Through (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hot Work at Cold Harbor (about 500 feet away); Stand Guard And Stay Awake (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Cold Harbor (about 600 feet away); A Deadly Delay (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

Also see . . .
1. Cold Harbor Battlefield. American Battlefield Trust website entry:
listed as one of the most endangered sites in 2008. (Submitted on December 8, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Battle of Cold Harbor.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 18, 2003

2. Battle of Cold Harbor Marker

Wikipedia entry (Submitted on December 8, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Additional keywords. Freeman Markers, Richmond Battlefield Parks Corporation, Douglas Southall Freeman

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 27, 2025

3. Battle of Cold Harbor Marker

Scrub brush now obscures the view of the trench interior (to the right).

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 27, 2025

4. Battle of Cold Harbor Marker

View east showing the marker's proximity to Cold Harbor Road (VA-156). Though by the road, unlike some of its sister markers it is fairly accessible on foot by deviating from the Cold Harbor Battlefield walking trail.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2008, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,984 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on September 12, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 8, 2008, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on April 16, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.