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

The Armies Gather at Cold Harbor

Afternoon — June 1, 1864

— Richmond National Battlefield Park —

The Armies Gather at Cold Harbor Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 21, 2015

1. The Armies Gather at Cold Harbor Marker

Inscription. Following the Federal cavalry’s successful defense of the Old Cold Harbor Crossroads against Confederate infantry attacks on the morning of June 1, 1864, hard marching soldiers of the 6th Corps and 18th Corps arrived to solidify the Union army’s hold on the strategic intersection. By late afternoon these two corps, totaling roughly 30,000 men, launched an attack against the Confederate line. The 18th Corps deployed around Beulah Church and attacked to the west. Brig. Gen. William T. H. Brooks’ division advanced across this ground under ﬁre, toward Confederates defending hastily built earthworks 600 yards ahead of you. Fighting raged into the darkness that night.

The Federal assault on the afternoon of June 1, 1864, temporarily broke the Confederate line and emboldened General Grant to try another assault at Cold Harbor on June 3.

(caption) Combat artist William Waud sketched the June 1 action in this vicinity.

Erected 2015 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 1, 1864.

Location. 37° 35.951′

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N, 77° 16.751′ W. Marker is in Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. It is at the intersection of Beulah Church Road (Virginia Route 633) and Glenharbor Lane, on the left when traveling north on Beulah Church Road. 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

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: Cold Harbor: The Early Actions (a few steps from this marker); June 3, 1864 — 18th Corps: A Disastrous Attack (a few steps from this marker); Historic Beulah Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Keitt’s Attack — Morning, June 1, 1864 (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Reserve (approx. half a mile away); Union Earthworks (approx. half a mile away); The Cold Harbor Killing Fields (approx. 0.6 miles away); Grant's Grand Assault (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

Also see . . . Richmond National Battlefield Park. National Park Service (Submitted on November 22, 2015.)

Cold Harbor: The Early Actions Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher

2. Cold Harbor: The Early Actions Markers

Fight on Wednesday June 1st between Smiths Corps & the Rebs near Mechanicsville Cold Harbor image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Waud, June 1, 1864

3. Fight on Wednesday June 1st between Smiths Corps & the Rebs near Mechanicsville Cold Harbor

Library of Congress LC-DIG-ppmsca-22518

Beulah Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 27, 2025

4. Beulah Church

Around which the XVIII Corps massed, as described in the marker. The version of the church they encountered burned in 1864 and this iteration was constructed on its footprint in 1868.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 622 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 22, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on April 12, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.