Name/Title
A Burial Party, Cold HarborDescription
Cold Harbor is a small town located outside of the capital of the Confederacy in Richmond Virginia. It was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War when General Grant directly faced General Lee for the final time as he attempted to take Richmond for the Union. Total causalities (wounded and missing) were about 18,000, Grant later admitting that one of his biggest regrets diring the War was ordering a June 3rd frontal assault over an open field at Cold Harbor. Envlosed is a current view of that open field (in the 7 miles where the two Armies confronted each other) along with a still present Confederate trench.
After the bloody battle, thousands of soldiers were left unburied on the battlefield. It was not until April of 1865 that this famous picture was taken by John Reekie showing newly emancipated African-Americans and black soldiers collecting remains for proper burial.
The June 3rd battle was a devastating defeat for Union forces but in view of the fact that the news came just a few months before Lincoln’s re-election campaign, major newspapers reported a “fake news” victory on the left of their front pages.Condition
Overall Condition
Very GoodDate Examined
Aug 20, 2026Create Date
August 20, 2026Update Date
September 16, 2026
