Civil War Graves on the Gaines' Mill Battlefield

Victory is nearly at hand for Phase Three of Gaines’ Mill-Cold Harbor Saved Forever Campaign. We have already raised just over $400,000 toward our goal, which leaves only about $107,000 to go. Can we count on you to make one more gift before the end of the year, and see this campaign through to victory?

The American Battlefield Trust preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters. We permanently protect these battlefields for future generations as a lasting and tangible memorial to the brave soldiers who fought in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.

[jayever]

It's crazy i was born in Hopewell, Va and lived there for 33 yrs before moving to east Tennessee with my mom. I thought i knew about alot of the Civil War stuff in Virginia but I'll learn alot from yall... Thank you!

[tomclemens]

Always a pleasure to spend a moment with Bobby, thanks for doing this.

[DiscoverHudsonValley]

An excellent job as always American Battlefield Trust! Very informative. Thank you and keep up the great work!

[richsnyder]

One of my ancestors- Pvt Robert Scott of Company D PA First Reserves- “The Safe Harbor Artillery” was killed at Gaines’Mills on 6-27-1862. Wish I knew what area he was killed at or near.

[ZM]

Are we sure these are the remnants of soldier graves? As another commenter has pointed out, battlefield burials were often shallow, definitely not the standard six feet, and any hole left behind would be only a couple feet deep which probably would've been naturally filled in after 150 years. What was this land used for after the war? What we see in the video might be a post-bellum civilian grave which has sunken in after the coffin and/or body has decomposed.

[MayoFilms]

Dr William H Gaines was the owner of Gaines Mill his cousin was Major William H Gaines from Gaines Landing Arkansas my 3rd great grandfather. Their other cousin was also General Edmund P Gaines who arrested Aaron Burr.

[ReadyForSummerNow]

There is one in the woods behind the Bloody Angle at Spotsylvania.

[Imachowderhead]

This was the largest charge of the war.

[sirsaint]

God bless the boys in navy blue. I'm sure there are still some soldiers still out there. Glad many were found and given proper respect.

[scott.wallace]

I always thought it would be cool to find some civil war things. Then I got deployed too war myself. If I found it. I would put it right back

[model-man]

Empty or not I would never stand in that hole.

[jakeella]

Assuming the confeds didnt dig graves 6' deep I think its doubtful, it surely would have filled in with decayed leaves twigs etc over this time.

[edtully]

I know that after the war many Union dead were moved from their battlefield graves to National Cemeteries, but what about the Confederate dead? Were they left to await private re-internment?

[carywest]

My collateral ancestors from 4th TX. Co.K helped put those bluebelly vandals in their graves. DEO VINDICE

[PeterOkeefe]

Friend owns some of the battlefield. Wonderfull metal detecting. ALL battlefields should be opened to colleges and(professional supervisors) metal detecting clubs. Why are we waiting? till its all gone and forgotten??

[anlerden]

I love American flag and Confederate flag so much I have many American flags and Union Jack flags at my home, if i go to USA, I will buy big American flag and Confederate flag too. Thank you so much for this beautiful informations.😊😇🥰😍🤗❤🤍💙❤🤍💙💪👍🙏