We all know of Independence Hall or the U.S. Capitol building as structures with a defining role in our American story. The emotions and actions tied to these landmarks cement their place in our minds. But we also often apply this way of thinking to the battlefields we seek to preserve! On these lands, we remember the daring charges made, the striking way in which artillery was positioned, the flank attacks launched, the heartbreaking losses experienced, the deeds that went above and beyond the call of duty and so much more.
Chances are, most Americans haven’t heard of the “Old Cold Harbor Tavern” — a building that, despite burning down in the early 1900s, maintained a myriad of Civil War memories due to its position in the southeastern corner of the intersection of the Gaines’ Mill and Cold Harbor Battlefields. It was such a prominent local landmark that it even gave its name to the 1864 battle that unfolded on the surrounding landscape!
Now, thanks to your enduring passion for protecting the past, the American Battlefield Trust is proud to announce a preservation victory on the 29-acre property that once housed this bustling tavern. But Trust donors were not alone in recognizing the historic significance of the site and entities including the HTR Foundation, the National Park Service and the Commonwealth of Virginia all stepped forward to support our efforts to preserve these crucial acres, right next to 50 acres you saved from becoming a sportsplex in 2019!
Here’s a quick overview of what the Cold Harbor Tavern witnessed:
In late May 1862, Union Gen. George McClellan made his headquarters at the tavern, likely working from tents set up within the tavern yards.
A month later, in late June 1862, Confederate forces had taken control of the crossroads. Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson also made camp at the tavern and remained in the vicinity for the duration of the fighting that took place in the area. On the night of June 27, 1862 — following Confederate victory at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill — Jackson and Confederate cavalry chief Gen. J.E.B. Stuart reportedly slept beneath a tree in the tavern’s yard.
From May 31–June 12, 1864, combat raged across the tavern’s surrounding acres in the Battle of Cold Harbor, with the climax of battle sweeping over this exact 29-acre tract! Gen. James B. Ricketts, who earned a medal for meritorious service during Cold Harbor, also made the tavern his headquarters at least once over the course of the battle.
In the days following the Union defeat at Cold Harbor, Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock oversaw the progress of the 2nd Corps from a spot near the tavern, a 6th Corps physician set up a field hospital “among the trees in the yard” and Gen. Ulysses S. Grant himself stopped at the site on June 3 while surveying the state of his troops.
But you don’t need to imagine what this area would have looked like as these events unfolded. Thanks to this virtual animation full of details vetted by our expert historians, you can see the Cold Harbor Tavern “brought back to life”! OR place the tavern in your own environment with augmented reality filters available on Instagram or Snapchat.
And while this announcement is a long time coming, we deliver it with more good news: we’ve torn down the dilapidated, semi-modern structure that blemished this acreage. I’m happy to share that I got the first swing at it!
This is a reminder that “victory” doesn’t always mean our work is done! At times, it’s just the beginning of enacting a new vision for a property.
I continue to be amazed by the dedication you deliver to this cause time and time again, allowing us to make a tangible impact on these hallowed grounds. Thus, my gratitude will never cease!
‘Til the Battle Is Won,
David N. Duncan
President
American Battlefield Trust