The Battle of Cold Harbor (Second)

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The Battle of Cold Harbor (Second)

 

May 31-June 12, 1864 in Hanover County, Virginia

Grant's Overland Campaign

 

Union Forces Commanded by:

Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Maj. Gen. George G. Meade

Forces

Killed

Wounded

Captured

105,000

1,905

10,570

500*

 

 

 

 

Confederate Forces Commanded by:

Gen. Robert E. Lee

Forces

Killed

Wounded

Captured

60,000

1,200 k&w

-

500*

 

 

 

**Missing and Captured

Conclusion: Confederate Victory

 

BATTLE SUMMARY

The Battle of Second Cold Harbor, the final battle of Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 Overland Campaign, is remembered as one of history's bloodiest, most lopsided battles. Thousands of Union soldiers were slaughtered in a hopeless assault against of Gen. Robert E. Lee's fortified troops. Grant said of the battle inhis memoirs "I have always regretted that the last assault at Cold Harbor was ever made. I might say the same thing of the assault of May 22, 1863, at Vicksburg. At Cold Harbor, no advantage whatever was gained to compensate for the heavy loss we sustained."

The battle was fought in central Virginia, 10 miles from Richmond. Soldiers were disturbed to discover skeletal remains from the first Battle First Cold Harbor while digging their positions. Cold Harbor was a rural crossroads named for a hotel located in the area, which provided shelter (harbor), but not hot meals. It is located 10 miles from Richmond.

On May 26, during the night, from behind the North Anna River, the Union army initiated another movement beyond the Confederate right flank. Grant, personally directing operations of Meade's army, ordered Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan with 2 cavalry divisions southeastward. The cavalrymen rode throughout the night in a pelting rainstorm.

On May 27, by 9:00 A.M., Sheridan had secured a vital corossing on the Panmunkey River. For the next 2 days, the 4 Union infantry corps shuffled toward the river.

On May 28, Grant had 3 corps across Read More

 

 

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