Battle of Cold Harbor Overview: Civil War Richmond

Garry Adelman of the American Battlefield Trust is joined by Bobby Krick of the National Park Service as they travel to Mechanicsville, Virginia for a deep dive into the Battle of Cold Harbor.
This video was originally made for American Battlefield Trust Color Bearer members and is now available for our entire KZbin audience!

[@richardjohnson4238]

Thanks. I grew up in the Cold Harbor area (Closer to the "Grapevine Bridge) in the 50's and 60's. As a child we "played army" in the trenches out back. We picked up bullets and buttons off the ground after the spring plowing and rains. It inspired my lifelong interest in history. To stand somewhere and realize that "right here" something really important happened. It made the history come alive. My grandfather was a "relic hunter." Just about every day, he'd come home with a pouch full of "stuff." He'd sit on his porch and go through what he'd found and we'd talk about what it was, where he'd found it, and how he thought it came to be there. Sometimes he'd take me along to carry his digging tools. Quite an adventure for a young kid in rural Virginia in those days.

[@09jadeen]

That sounds awesome

[@asuperstraightpureblood]

Sounds like a perfect boyhood

[@G8capsfan]

I love it Thanks for sharing

[@robertrock8778]

From RVA, so many unappreciated ACW sites in and around Richmond. Hollywood Cemetery is a must see. When you drive into Byrd Airport you thru 12 lb. guns and trenches from Sandstone defensive positions. Cold Harbor & Malvern Hill are all close. Walking MH approach to Union guns is terrifying.

[@edwardmoran1739]

Bobby was great, clear, well spoken. You could see what was happening from his words.

[@minermikesouthernusa4017]

My GGGranddad fought with the 51 st Regiment NC co D . He was shot in the left shoulder, I guess after Bentonville he must’ve walked home being from Robinson co. Love your videos I love to learn more about his battles thank you 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@fryuppe]

A big thank you to Garry and Bobby for this and all the recent Overland content. Absolutely brilliant, and an immense service to education, the sacrifice of the combatants, and of the the fallen.

[@larrybrady5180]

Instablaster.

[@buckappel6835]

It’s important to preserve our history. My great-great grandfather served with the 58th Pennsylvania Volunteers and fought at the battle of Cold Harbor.

[@david-yc7bc]

Preserving the Civil War battlefields are a necessity. Thank you!

[@rgbrin]

Thank you for saving our History....you guys Rock!!..

[@donaldmeincke3048]

I lived in the Richmond area for many years and visited almost all of the battlefields. Cold Harbor is a must see; it is very well preserved and makes you feel like the soldiers only recently walked away.

[@scottyb2117]

Thank you for the awesome video of a battle sight so important to our history. On an unrelated note I recently visited the National Air Force museum in Dayton and it is simply fantastic! Much recommended!!!

[@fieryweasel]

Always good to see land saved. Proud to be a member!

[@huskydogg7536]

Thank you guys for all you do! My great grandfather (48th PA) was captured here on June 6th and spent the next 11 months at Andersonville. I'm from Seattle and was going to make it out this year, now put on hold.

[@michaellaverty1844]

As a child I visited battlefields all around Richmond. My Dad would load up his Chevy wagon with as many kids that would fit. I need to revisit these battlefields as an adult. Thanks for a awesome video.

[@marygee8900]

Thank you for your efforts to preseve this battlefield. My Great Great Uncle Emory Wilcox (New York 8th Artillery Company B) died there on June the 3rd 1864 - His name is on a monument in Cold Harbor cemetery and I hope to be able to leave a penny there someday

[@porteralexander8936]

Do you have any relics from your ancestor?

[@marygee8900]

Linage through a maternal grandmother- no artifacts as he was her grandfather’s brother who moved to Michigan prior to the war

[@johnmonroe7378]

Great job! My GG Grandfather - Joseph Brown - in the 20th South Carolina - fought against Sheridan at the Cold Harbor crossroads.

[@gregoryshorts700]

Thank you for your efforts, I have been doing my family tree this year . One of my ancestors fought for the south. Mustards into the 2nd NORTH CAROLINA regiment Infantry. I did a little digging. And it may stand to reason that Greenville Coblar may have fought here. He past in captivity in a pow camp in Maryland. Thought yell like to know.

[@paulszo]

I’ll check to see if I can find his name at the prison memorial. I’ll be up there in Middle of June. My family is from up that way.

[@jackbreedlove3740]

My great great grandfather, his brother and their father were there as part of the 26th Mississippi Infantry Regiment.

[@JefferyMckay-qy8tc]

You need to get in touch with some peeps there. I grew up playing on the earthworks and found a buckle from the 20th Mississippi. Someone may have found stuff for u. Check out blue and grey storage they have many buckets of things found whengrading. They found 5 skeletons also

[@Benno101able]

Thank you Bobby a great presentation on Cold Harbor battlefield and related history

[@baystateplugflipper7061]

Great video!!! I’ve been all over the area and stood in some well preserved trenches on private property that is just chilling looking over the killing fields of Cold Harbor.

[@michaelpatterson2955]

This has turned into a tremendous series of videos, with fair treatment for both sides' stories. Thanks for the effort and your work in preservation! I wish Cold Harbor had a larger visitor center, but thank God it at least has one. It's been some years since I was there. Great narration, great enthusiasm makes these videos appealing to all viewers. Thanks again!

[@counciousstream]

I'm surfing the youtube algorithm after a search on the key words Cold Harbor. Of the dozen hits one is Garry Adelman. Even though I know that I will be relentlessly pitched by Garry it is absolutely worth the click because I know that I will learn something while being entertained.

[@David-lu4gq]

Awesome stuff lads, these videos have certainly helped get through these maddening lockdowns, watching them all over again, so much information! Greetings from Ireland everyone.

[@AmericanBattlefieldTrust]

Good to hear David. We have more event series planned in the upcoming months.

[@bamalifecooperative5969]

Thank you guys for doing this! I love civil war history

[@charleydraper8656]

History, needs to be preserved, PERIOD.

[@marks1638]

I've been to these battlefields and I've always enjoyed the enthusiasm and historical knowledge of the local guides.

[@Moon_Dance]

Great overview, thank you 🙌

[@lindaferri1706]

You guys are awesome - thank you so much for all you do!

[@elizabethroenbeck9932]

Thank you for this great tour of Cold Harbor. As a family we have been to numerous battlefields, especially Gettysburg as it is closer to home, but have not made it to Cold Harbor. Read much about it, but this really brought it to life. Bobby we had the great privilege to tour Gettysburg in 2004 with your Dad and Gary Gallagher. Fantastic, memorable 3 day tour with lots of laughs with that famous duo, especially about your Dad's love for Stonewall and had he been there! Your Dad was also helpful in keeping track of me and my handicapped young son who sometimes had trouble keeping up with the hikers on the trails. Will always remember and appreciate that.

[@musakphil0305]

This is where I think my Great x3 grandfather was killed in action. He was in the 109th infantry out of New York. His military record just says, "killed in action, near Petersburg VA on June 11 1864." Do you think this is likely? Super interesting. Sad as well, he was only 26.

[@a1081042]

My ancester, Theopholus DeLozier, CSA, quit right after this battle. He had seen enough between this and Spotsylvania and walked back to home in SW Virginia.

[@ProvisionalPatrioticAlliance]

Wise decision.

[@markcrew3696]

The Driveway next to the Cold Harbor Cemetery is the drive we would take to the house I grew up in the 70s. I would jog down Cold Harbor road and wave to the nice lady in the Beige house you guys bought and tore down. Glad you guys have purchased much property in Cold Harbor to preserve it. My stepdad still lives in our old house and you guys purchased 2 neighbors houses down our driveway.

[@kornkraker]

I am very excited about what you guys are doing, a great job preserving our Civil War history. My 2x great grandfather, Co. B 8th NY was wounded at the second battle of Cold Harbor an spent the rest of the war in hospitals. Finding information on this major battle has been frustrating for me as there does not seem to be much more than a few footnotes. A visit to Cold Harbor is definitely in my plans.

[@edl5553]

My gggrandfather was wounded here, served under Barlow and Hancock, he died in the 2nd Corps Field hospital 3 weeks after being shot

[@dtmjax5612]

Excellent video guys! So well described and presented in good, plain from the heart commentary. Thank you for all you do in helping preserve our history. 👍🇺🇸👏

[@northdogueman]

My Great Great grand father fought here, a Confederate Denwitty sharp shooter, was shot in the hand loseing several fingers and relieved of duties, he reenlisted a year later and survived the rest of the war with many campaigns in his mustard card, he died a full life in 1918, he attended the 50 year anniversary celebration.

[@dadsongs]

Excellent, as always.

[@mikemulrennan7948]

So happy you preserved the field.. it’s on my list of places to eventually see.

[@chrissmoot7038]

Excellent presentation!

[@Stiglr]

Well done!! I got out one of your recent mailings, with 4 maps on Cold Harbor and Gaines' Mill battles and followed your narrative with great interest!!!

[@crimony3054]

Everyone has forgotten Cold Harbor, Spotsylvania, and North Anna. Massive, massive Union casualties, except at North Anna. There, Lee so outmaneuvered his enemy that even Grant, who was earning his stripes as a butcher, quit the field of battle without even trying to dislodge the Confederates.

[@marknewton6984]

Cold Harbor murder thanks to Grant

[@DrewS777]

You guys are great. Thanks

[@jackpine62]

Just behind the camera position in this video is a county park that's well worth seeing. Impressive Union positions and earthworks there.

[@davebetts9843]

Yes, I have been there many times. This is where the Union artillery was located and it's close to the creepy farmhouse that served as a field hospital. It is supposed to be haunted.

[@marks1638]

Several of my ancestors were with Maine Regiments serving throughout the war and a couple of them saw action in that area during campaign leading up to the siege of Petersburg.

[@ProvisionalPatrioticAlliance]

Well... hope it wasn't the 1st ME Heavy Artillery. What a tough luck unit. 423 KIA in one unit is A LOT.

[@ericcole182]

Awesome garry

[@scarystories190]

One of my relatives foguth here in the 31st NC. he was a color sgt and my family said he only spoke of it once and Cold harbor was the worst thing he'd ever seen. After one of the union charges there were bodies everywhere. Blown to bits,.

[@charleydraper8656]

History is awesome

[@junglejane2824]

Love learning about the CW! You guy's bring it to life! Wondering why you are wearing a microphone and Bobby isn't? It was hard to hear him. Thank You for your hard work!

[@jerroldbates355]

Good work boys!

[@model-man7802]

All of this should be sent to the National Archives for preservation for 200 yrs from now.Plans have to be made ........now.

[@jordanbrown4886]

When was this filmed? Doesn't look like late December 😆

[@NJcruiser]

This was recorded back in the spring during the anniversary of the Overland Campaign. Basically May and June comprised the Overland Campaign.

[@sheldonwheaton881]

The numbers of unknowns is on the back of the tombstones in the cemetery along with the monument in the back dedicated to the unknown. Impressive.💀

[@JusDirtfishin]

Thank you for sharing. Very informative information. I have one question. Where can I look and find where they marched through an area. I just moved to Danville Virginia and have heard they came through here and there was camps and prisons. But I am having trouble finding a map showing where that was. Any info would be appreciated.

[@karlheinzvonkroemann2217]

I've been to most all major CW battlefield sites in the eastern theatre. Only two of them gave me any kind of uncomfortable feeligs, the willys if you will. Manassas and this one, Cold Harbor, while walking the remains of the trenches on the Federal side.

[@gerlandkent6377]

this, part of virginia is were my 3rd. Great uncle fought the civil war.

[@daddiroo]

I grew up in lereve manor and at the entrance there are 3 rows of earthworks I hunted all my life

[@lindaferri1706]

Are there any plans to preserve the building?

[@shiningstaer]

Hey you’re in Richmond! Where are you going next? Where is the best way to get updates from y’all? Facebook????

[@johnfoster535]

Preserving these hallowed sites of sacrifice is important in many ways. The respect that Grant showed at Appomattox for the Southern men who fought so hard against him is lost today. This respect of Lee and his men fostered a reuniting of America where Grant proclaimed, " They are now our countrymen again ". To erase the memory of the noble Lee and his brave men is a pure political attack on America itself. As hordes of Guatemalans and Hondurans invade our nation unimpeded along with Mayans, Aztecs, and Peruvians, all our history may disappear anyway in an orgy of social decay unseen since the " Dark Ages" following the fall of Rome... setting the stage for conquest of our continent by the Chinese, as they are doing in Canada today. Europe is now occupied by millions of Muslims and the writing is on the wall....those who tear down statues of important men of our past, doom the future of our children.

[@cw7422]

I live 5 minutes from there.

[@nikitaklebnikov3574]

Well just enjoy the history jordan brown

[@pheatton]

I live ten minutes from this area in Old Mechanicsville. I grew up going to these places and reading tons of stuff on them. It's awesome to see it get exposure but it's really not a good idea to walk on then trenches. Please don't wander in them, it degrades them little by little.

[@paulmorales3815]

The house at 1:45 looks like the "modern structure" on another video. also, at the 2:00 to 2:09, a lot of "harbors", old, new,first, second.

[@JefferyMckay-qy8tc]

Chichahomony creek ( oops misspelled) they found confederate graves when they dug the basement of my moms house. There are still earthworks at the end of cactus rd.

[@Imachowderhead]

My ggg grandpappy fought here as a color sgt under clingman. 31st NC. Said it was the worst hed ever seen.

[@redbaron0949]

I think the original name was Cool Arbor, am I correct?

[@gawaineross6119]

Why weren't hot air balloons used more often for reconnaisance?

[@JefferyMckay-qy8tc]

Id like videos about sandston

[@chestophercolumbo4561]

Incredible and infuriating that blood was shed and history made on that land and they wanted to build a dang sports-plexon it

[@charlesrichardson8635]

How did they know where to find the men when they moved them from the house's yard to the cemetery? Did someone document the placement? Also what happened to the Confederate dead?

[@TaterChip91]

Both you boys need to eat a hamburger. But in all seriousness, wonderful video, as always. 👍👍

[@gillygil8747]

Why do we still call Hiram Ulysses Grant Ulysses S. Grant? Am I wrong in believing that the S. came from Sam or Simpson? Was Sam Grant a nickname from West Point? Thank you for all you have done to preserve these lands.

[@richardweinheimer2213]

Audio was terrible couldn't hear the second part of explanation of battle so just forgot it turned it off got rid of it it what a shame

[@kevindecoteau3186]

So, the movie Cold Harbor was fictional, what and where was the movie based on?

[@pscheelk5994]

You might be thinking of the movie Cold Mountain, which is about the battle of the crater at the Siege of Petersburg. Brutal battle scene in that one

[@JeddieT]

I don’t think you give enough credit to the Confederate resistance to the Union here, and just how badly they bloodied Grant’s forces.

[@j.franklin21]

Grant...the Butcher. 17 waves, each one failing. What was he thinking?

[@JeddieT]

@@j.franklin21 …He wasn’t thinking, he was probably drunk. And that’s not a guess.

[@marknewton6984]

The Butcher...

[@JefferyMckay-qy8tc]

How about old church. Thats where my commencement was held

[@JefferyMckay-qy8tc]

How about old church

[@joepipito7431]

I just saw a Ghost

[@SigmaNuHE481]

I wonder if the house is haunted

[@Suchtel10]

And obviously all european generals did not notice that trenches will be part of ww1 after being used 50 years earlier in the american civil war.

[@crosmas]

Land developers are a self-absorbed curse on every community, the end.

[@eptingstrategiessolutions1566]

Learn to edit and add images and maps graphically. Better than handheld images. You have great content

[@Baskerville22]

Garry, a little more enthusiasm, please 😀

[@custerkiller7670]

First Comment!

[@ussstink]

Two minutes of nothing at beginning.