Once again Grant would move around Lee’s right flank for the third time in the month of May. He would divide his army into two columns and travel via a series of roads moving southeast on the eastern side of the Pamunkey River and then swing back west and cross the river at Nelson’s Ford and Dabney’s Ferry. Lee would react quickly and block his path once again by establishing a defensive line on the south bank of Totopotomoy Creek just 12 miles from Richmond, as shown by the map below from a Civil War Trails signs. His left was on the Virginia Central Railroad just north of Atlee Station and his line extended southeast for 5 miles.
Grant would probe all along this new line as both sides dug in. Small battles occurred at Enon Church, Haw’s Shop, Bethesda Church, Matadequin Creek and along the line shown above.
This series is made up of eight parts.
The Road to Totopotomoy Creek- Part 1
The Road to Totopotomoy Creek (Part 2)- The Battle of Haw’s Shop
The Road to Totopotomoy Creek- Part 3
Totopotomoy Creek and the Battles of Bethesda Church and Matadequin Creek- May 30, 1864
Auto Tour- the Road to Totopotomoy Creek
Auto Tour- the Battles of Totopotomoy Creek
Totopotomoy Creek Field Fortifications– password protected
Sources
Cold Harbor Grant and Lee May 26-June 3, 1864 by Gordon C. Rhea
Six Days of Awful Fighting Cavalry Operations on the Road to Cold Harbor by Eric J. Wittenberg
The Battle of Totopotomoy Creek by Robert Bluford Jr.
Hurricane from the Heavens The Battle of Cold Harbor May 26-June 5, 1864 by Daniel T. Davis and Phillip S. Greenwalt
You must be logged in to post a comment.