From Farmland to Forest
Cold Harbor Battlefield Park Walking Trail
Time has changed this landscape dramatically since the war. In 1864, much of the Co1d Harbor area was cleared farmland. One Federal believed this openness of the land was “the greatest part of the misery” at Cold Harbor. The deadly fire of Confederate sharpshooters prevented Union soldiers from moving freely behind the lines. “There was no cover from the fire of the enemy,” a veteran observed, except in the trench itself.
To move safely between front and rear, Union troops constructed six parallel lines of breastworks. You are standing between the 4th and 5th line of works.
Marker can be reached from Cold Harbor Road (State Highway 156) 0.2 miles east of Boatswain Lane, on the right when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
