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

Firing Blind

November 28, 2014

1. Firing Blind Marker

Inscription. The mounds seen here might be improvised mortar positions built by Confederate artillerists in June 1864. Normal cannon pits had fields of fire, often established by keeping the front parapet low or by building a platform on which the gun could sit. Neither feature is present here. Given the configuration of the pits, it is very possible that the Confederates placed artillery here at a sharp angle, with the barrels pointing skyward. A small powder charge and the correct elevation would convert field artillery into ersatz mortars, well suited to lob shells into the Union lines only 500 yards east of here.

Erected 2014 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 historical month for this entry is June 1864.

Location. 37° 35.539′ N, 77° 17.547′ 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) when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5515 Anderson-Wright Drive, Mechanicsville

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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: Between the Lines (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Tramp of Marching Feet (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Fortifications (approx. ¼ mile away); Confederate Position (approx. ¼ mile away); Confederate Breastworks (approx. ¼ mile away); Grant's Grand Assault (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Cold Harbor Killing Fields (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Waters Ran Red (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

Another marker is no

Confederate cannon position behind the "Firing Blind" marker. image. Click for full size.

2. Confederate cannon position behind the "Firing Blind" marker.

longer nearby. Union Position (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. This trail side marker is part of the new 0.9 mile walking trail on the western end of the Cold Harbor battlefield park.

Also see . . . Richmond National Battlefield Park. National Park Service (Submitted on December 6, 2014.)

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 27, 2025

3. Firing Blind Marker

With earthworks beyond.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2014, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 618 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on December 27, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on December 6, 2014, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on December 21, 2014. 3. submitted on April 16, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.