On the morning of May 28, 1864, Federal infantry left the camps around Mangohick Church and moved south toward the Pamunkey River along parallel routes to quicken the march. The Second and Sixth Corps headed for Nelson’s Crossing, while the Fifth and Ninth Corps moved farther east toward Hanovertown, and New York engineers built pontoon bridges at both crossings to speed the maneuver. At Nelson’s Crossing, two pontoon bridges about 140 feet long stood here, and Union infantry entrenched on the first high ridge south of the river facing the valley of Totopotomoy Creek. Part of the Sixth Corps reconnoitered to the northwest to guard the army’s flank toward Hanover Court House, while Federal cavalry clashed with Confederate horsemen south of here at Haw’s Shop. After Grant’s army crossed the Pamunkey, its movements became clearer to the Confederates, enabling Lee to shape a response that ultimately led to the Battle of Cold Harbor.
