We Must Hold This Line

After two days of bitter combat, Confederate infantry built their final line of defense across this spot. Remnants of that line are visible emerging from the woods to your left. Richmond stood only nine miles to the southwest, and General Lee knew that he must hold here. A Federal victory could mean the destruction of his army and the fall of the Confederate capital. Once completed, the opposing battle lines at Cold Harbor stretched nearly seven miles, and this spot stood at the center of the Confederate position.

Mechanicsville, Virginia · United States