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

Cavalry Action at Cold Harbor

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009

1. Cavalry action at Cold Harbor Marker

Inscription. On 31 May 1864, Brig. Gen. Wesley Merritt’s Union cavalry brigade, operating under Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, advanced along this road and through these fields. Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee’s Confederate horsemen fought a fluid defensive battle, gradually withdrawing to a stronger position at the Cold Harbor crossroads just west of here. The Mantlo farmhouse on the north side of this road was here during the action. Later, before the Union army left Cold Harbor on 12-13 June, it erected a shortened defensive line of entrenchments, portions of which survive in the nearby woods.

Erected 2008 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number O-68.)

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 May 31, 1864.

Location. 37° 35.934′ N, 77° 15.679′ W. Marker is near Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. It is at the intersection of Crown Hill Road and Tall Cedar Lane, on the right when traveling west on Crown Hill Road. Touch for map. Marker is

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in this post office area: Mechanicsville VA 23111, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the 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. 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: Cold Harbor Crossroads (approx. ¾ mile away); a different marker also named Cold Harbor Crossroads (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Cold Harbor Crossroads (approx. 0.8 miles away); Seven Days' Campaign (approx. 0.8 miles away); Seven Days Battles (approx. 0.8 miles away); Historic Beulah Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Armies Gather at Cold Harbor (approx. one mile away); Cold Harbor: The Early Actions

"Madison Estates" new homes... image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009

2. "Madison Estates" new homes...

(approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

Regarding Cavalry Action at Cold Harbor. The Mantlo Farm House was demolished in 2011 to make way for a modern home.

Farm house on "Earthworks Drive" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009

3. Farm house on "Earthworks Drive"

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009

4. Farm house

Barn and fields image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009

5. Barn and fields

Field of Advance image. Click for full size.

2025

6. Field of Advance

Earthworks Protected image. Click for full size.

2025

7. Earthworks Protected

The Madison Estates Property Owners' Association protects the earthworks in the woods.

2025

8. Earthworks

The Madison Estates Property Owners' Association protects the earthworks in the woods.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,472 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on December 22, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 2, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 6, 7, 8. submitted on April 12, 2026. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.