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

A Captured Trench

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

1. A Captured Trench Marker

Inscription. On the morning of June 1, 1864, Confederate soldiers of Thomas Clingman’s North Carolina brigade frantically dug this trench. They anticipated a Union assault later in the day. Around 6:00 p.m. Federal troops of the VI Corps moved into position near Old Cold Harbor, a half-mile to the east, and with two hours of daylight remaining, received orders to attack. This would be part of the first Union assault at Cold Harbor.

Emory Upton’s brigade of 2600 Union infantry attacked here. An intense, bloody battle ensued. Eventually Upton’s men reached this earthwork and clung to it, despite repeated attempts that evening to retake it.

“At the first ray of dawn it [the work] was strengthened and occupied by skirmishers; and during our stay at Cold Harbor, which lasted until midnight of June 12th, it remained our front line….”
Theodore Vaill, Upton’s Brigade

This is a rare surviving example of a “turned” entrenchment, used by each army and consequently facing in two different directions.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 1, 1862.

Location. 37° 35.319′ N, 77° 17.018′ W. Marker is near Mechanicsville

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, Virginia, in Hanover County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Anderson-Wright Drive and Cold Harbor Road (Virginia Route 156). This marker is located along the walking trail in the Cold Harbor Battlefield Unit of the Richmond National Battlefield Park. 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Keep Digging (a few steps from this marker); We Have Broken Through (a few steps from this marker); Keep Your Head Down (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Cold Harbor (within shouting distance of this marker); Stand Guard And Stay Awake (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Deadly Delay (about 400 feet away); 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery (about 500 feet away); A Bloody Baptism of Fire (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

More about this marker. On the left is a sketch with the caption, Confederate infantry preparing defensive works

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.)

3. Cold Harbor Battlefield Virtual Tour by Markers.

Bridge crossing the trench line. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

2. Bridge crossing the trench line.

This is one of the many markers along the walking trail, extended loop trail, and auto tour route in the Cold Harbor Battlefield Unit of the Richmond National Battlefield Park. (Submitted on March 9, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

A “turned” entrenchment image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

3. A “turned” entrenchment

Cold Harbor Battlefield image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 9, 2009

4. Cold Harbor Battlefield

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,346 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.