The Crossroads of Cold Harbor | Overland 160

After the Battle of North Anna, Grant and Lee continued to move their armies southward towards the Old Cold Harbor intersection. For Grant, Federal control of the crossroads would ensure safe movement for his many columns moving into the area. For Lee, Confederate control of the intersection was crucial to limiting Union occupation of the region.
This video is part of our series commemorating the 160th Anniversary of The Overland Campaign. You can view the full series here: • The Overland Campaign ... #coldharbortour
The American Battlefield Trust preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters. We permanently protect these battlefields for future generations as a lasting and tangible memorial to the brave soldiers who fought in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.

[@frankofva8803]

Even though I’ve never met you guys, I always feel when I pull up a video from ABT that I’m inviting friends into my home. Thanks for all you do.

[@richardh.5404]

I’m really enjoying this series

[@dadsongs]

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but let me emphasize I just want that for a source of historical education there is no peer to ABT. Their commitment to education and preservation is second to none.

[@tillvalhalla2271]

Please do a series on the Red River Campaign sometime since it was around the same time frame as the Overland Campaign.

[@Tomatohater64]

I absolutely love all the hard work your entire staff does to present these awesome videos. As usual, I can't wait till Gettysburg 161 is upon us. 👍👍

[@bigsarge2085]

👍👍

[@terryeustice5399]

Chris and Dan a real matter of fact video. Really appreciate your men’s work. Thank you for your take. 💯👍👊🇺🇸

[@cmdrflake]

This was a part of Grant’s plan to wear the Confederates down and force them to give up. He didn’t need to win the battles, just outlast the rebels.

[@marvwatkins7029]

With a tree flowering in the background it' still must be pretty cold to dress like that.

[@DEDDYRUPANDI75]

WOW nice video

[@Historybluff1986]

We did a larger mostly non history road trip a couple of years ago but I didn’t find some time to visit these two battles sites, a first for me. Almost no other visitors that day allows me plenty of quiet reflection.

[@richardjohnson4238]

I grew up not more than 6 miles south of where you're standing. This was during the 50's and 60's. My grandfather and I hunted relics all over the area. Later the park roads were a well known "parking spot" for teens, as long as the rangers didn't come through. Great time and place to grow up.

[@robertshotzberger]

In the early 1960's my uncle used to take us relic hunting at the Deep Bottom battlefield on land owned by his boss. We found hundreds of minie balls.

[@paulnicholson1906]

I live in NJ and there is a grave in the graveyard across the road from the Trenton train station that mentions Deep Bottom where the person was killed in the Civil war. Pretty sad when you think about it. Repeated many times.

[@ronyantz7349]

Great job team Trust!

[@dadsongs]

Just wanted to point out Sarah's sure-footed and highly effect camera work of Sarah at this point! To come from behind our hosts and get in front of them while on the move is highly commendable! Check it out around 13:00. Thank you!

[@crimony3054]

Your army has to sit still for months during the presidential campaign while the boss gets himself re-elected. But the army likes to fight. They know the road home runs through Richmond. How to get them to sit still? Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, and Cold Harbor. That's how. Grant's Union Army dug in around Petersburg in June 1864, and didn't move for 10 months. 🤣

[@edouardrobert160]

Thanks guys

[@HighVelocityRips]

Thanks for the update on this fight👍🏻

[@Hugh-nr5sx]

Don't forget that similar ground can often be fought over more than once even in mobile warfare and of course the fundamental dimensions of the main Eastern theater are relatable to the UK not least distance between D.C. and Richmond. Just look at the English Civil War for example Newbury and the Cousins War (Roses) for example St Albans.

[@annmcgehee1728]

Obviously the Union calvary becoming more efficient led Grant to decide to divert Sheridan off to the Valley soon after this to force Lee’s hand in sending Hampton and Fitz Lee’s after them, leading to the Battle of Trevilians Station

[@mjciavola]

Looks cold at Cold Harbor.

[@mjciavola]

@@housecat5202 The video was actually recorded in March.

[@George_L-w7o]

Couldn’t disagree more with Dan Davis‘s comment about Grant wanting the army of the Potomac to be more like the western armies. Please don’t compare the Western armies to the army of the Potomac Dan. Especially when you use words like “hard-hitting.” That’s a joke. Who the hell did the western armies ever fight? They couldn’t hold a candle to the army of the Potomac’s fighting record. Just another “herd mentality” historian who puts way too much emphasis on Grant and his memoirs. Show me one fast, hard hitting western army. Especially one who wasn’t up against the junior varsity.

[@joelapp]

I always enjoy the videos. Did you record these earlier this year? I’m surprised at how cold it seems based on how you’re dressed

[@mjciavola]

Yes it was definitely recorded earlier. It looks like it was recorded in the month of March.

[@AmericanBattlefieldTrust]

Indeed, we were welcomed with a 40 degree week in late March 😭

[@joelapp]

@@AmericanBattlefieldTrust you can’t know how much that confirmation settled things. lol. I’m sure many were wondering how Richmond was so cold in May. Love the videos. Keep it up.

[@mjciavola]

@@joelapp A big clue that it was not recorded in May or even April is that the trees were still bare of leaves.

[@joelapp]

@@mjciavola I know. Not to mention the pear trees. I just don’t like making assumptions

[@mattpiepenburg8769]

Always great work. Much appreciated- a massive CSA victory, but among its last…

[@markrzepkowski2951]

Not hardly….First and Second Petersburg, battle of The Crater, First Deep Bottom, Second Deep Bottom, second battle of Fair Oaks all victories…Not to mention Earlys Valley campaign which he was pretty much victorious in ever engagement until September…

[@johnfleet235]

@@markrzepkowski2951 The Crater was a tactical victory, but a huge strategic mistake. Shortly after The Crater Lincoln arrived at City Point to meet with Grant. No minutes were kept, but starting with that meeting the Union would run the Civil War through City Point. That is why Grant went to visit Sheridan when interference from Washington was slowing down the Valley Campaign. That is why in late March 1865, it is Grant, Sherman and Admiral Porter that meet with Lincoln. No Halleck, No Staton, No Thomas.

[@Hugh-nr5sx]

I wouldn't call it a massive victory more like massive slaughter and Grant always regretted the attack.

[@MichaelDeutschman]

​@markrzepkowski2951 Hancock gets beat up south of Petersburg. Shermans cavalry gets beat up south of Atlanta. Forrest is winning battles. The Confederates are still winning battles, there's just too many federals to fill their ranks.

[@ibeatcodin1day]

@@MichaelDeutschmanbattles of what consequence?

[@crippledcrow2384]

All y'all talk about is Union commanders. Overload of Union information.

[@Hugh-nr5sx]

Because Grant and Meade held the initiative in the Overland Campaign. In counterpoint Chancellorsville and then of course Stonewall Jackson managed to get himself killed by friendly fire.