The Battle of Cold Harbor
Now 15, George found himself in one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. From May 31st to June 12th, 1864 North and South clashed in the infamous Battle of Cold Harbor,VA. , one of the Unions greatest losses and General Grant’s biggest regrets.
Later, in his memoirs, he would sadly note, “I have always regretted that the last assault at Cold Harbor was ever made.”
I am no military history expert but I will try to summarize as best I can:
The South led by General Lee held the mouth of Totopotomy Creek. This was an important location because it was where the Union soldiers needed to pass by to continue the march to take Richmond. After several skirmishes, the Union prevailed . Victory however was briefly lived.
The Southern troops built fortifications that measured 7 miles long, from this vantage point, the battle turned. Grant had 108,000 men on his side including Charley and George Ulmer. Of these, 13,000 Union soldiers would be lost in the coming battle while their enemy only counted losses of 2,500. It was not a battle, it was a brutal one sided massacre.
Imagine George’s terror as gunfire rained down seemingly on all sides, thunderous cannons lit up the sky Horses screamed in agony , men fell at such a fast rate that it is estimated that well over 5,000 Union soldiers lay dead after the early morning assault. The Union soldiers were basically sitting ducks as the Rebel snipers safe behind their fortified line tore them apart. Amid all this confusion and slaughter a terrified George found shelter behind a tree and covering his ears, shaking with fear he tried to block out the seemingly never ending nightmare .
And that is where Charley found him. Charley lost a toe in the battle but otherwise the brothers could not believe their luck as they looked around and realized that half of their battalion was gone.
me and lizzie may 