Mechanicsville in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Tramp of Marching Feet
November 28, 2014
1. The Tramp of Marching Feet Marker
Inscription.
The Tramp of Marching Feet. . This deeply carved depression is believed to be a remnant of a Civil War-era farm road. On June 27, 1862, Confederate general Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's marching soldiers mistakenly turned south toward New Cold Harbor on their way to the Gaines' Mill battlefield. One arm of Gaines' millpond, visible down this slope, stood in their path. Jackson recognized the error and reversed his course; otherwise his column likely would have crossed the millpond here and at a second spot not far to the west., Two years later this road probably felt the footsteps of Confederate infantry from the 1st Corps, as they hurried into position on June 1 during the early phases of the Battle of Cold Harbor. The entrenchments they built that morning stood about 1000 yards east of here.
This deeply carved depression is believed to be a remnant of a Civil War-era farm road. On June 27, 1862, Confederate general Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's marching soldiers mistakenly turned south toward New Cold Harbor on their way to the Gaines' Mill battlefield. One arm of Gaines' millpond, visible down this slope, stood in their path. Jackson recognized the error and reversed his course; otherwise his column likely would have crossed the millpond here and at a second spot not far to the west.
Two years later this road probably felt the footsteps of Confederate infantry from the 1st Corps, as they hurried into position on June 1 during the early phases of the Battle of Cold Harbor. The entrenchments they built that morning stood about 1000 yards east of here.
Erected 2014 by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1837.
Location. 37° 35.528′ N, 77° 17.704′ W. Marker is in Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. Marker 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 VA 23111, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2014, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 492 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on December 21, 2014, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. Photo1. submitted on December 6, 2014, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
