Near Mechanicsville in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
A Lethal Occupation
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009
1. A Lethal Occupation Marker
From this advanced Confederate line, constructed after the grand Union assault of June 3, Lees sharpshooters searched for targets. They were near enough to the Federal line that enemy voices could be heard.
Between June 3 and June 12 constant skirmishing, artillery firing, and the deadly business of the Union and Confederate sharpshooters characterized the Cold Harbor fighting. Up and down the lines soldiers feared the work of these marksmen with their long range rifles. One Virginia artilleryman considered the sharpshooter little better than a human tiger lying in wait for blood.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant day of the year for for this entry is June 3.
Location. 37° 35.347′ N, 77° 17.13′ 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), on the right when traveling north. This marker is located along the walking trail in the Cold Harbor Battlefield Unit of the Richmond National
this page online
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. 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 Deadly Delay (a few steps from this marker); Stand Guard And Stay Awake (within shouting distance of this marker); We Have Broken Through (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Captured Trench (about 600 feet away); Hot Work at Cold Harbor (about 600 feet away); Keep Digging (about 600 feet away); The Waters Ran Red
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009
2. Cold Harbor Walking Trail
Also see . . .
1. Richmond National Battlefield Park. Cold Harbor (Submitted on March 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
2. CWSAC Battle Summary. Cold Harbor (Submitted on March 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 27, 2025
3. Confederate Advanced Line
A segment of the described trench line just down the trail from the marker, towards Bloody Run.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009
4. 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 1,208 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on December 27, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 16, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on March 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
