Cold Harbor

Looking down one of the tranches used by Lee's soldiers to defend Cold Harbor.

This is one of the hills Union soldiers faced in Grant's ill fated attempts to break through the Confederate lines at Cold Harbor. One of the signs read, "The Creek Ran Red With Blood," A small creek runs nearby this spot.

Behind well dug and built trenches Confederate soldiers waited for Union troops to charge. Generals on both sides never seems to realize the great advantage men behind fortifications had against approaching soldiers. These trenches were, when constructed, were similar to those found in France in World War I.

There is no harbor at Cold Harbor. The word harbor was used here to mean a stopping point for the teamsters where they could rest and buy food and drink. The word cold was used as this particular way point did not sell hot food, only cold food ... thus it was named Cold Harbor.