Every Tree in Sight Was Bullet-Riddled: Gaines' Mill and Cold Harbor

Watch as Robert "Bobby" Krick of the Richmond National Battlefield Park describes the historic events that took place in what is now called Griffin's Woods. This land has been at the very top of every historian’s and preservationist’s “must-have” list for more than two decades.

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.

[thmichcav]

I have a great uncle who was in the 16th Michigan, Co B at Gaines Mill. He was listed as missing in action. He later returned to his unit after being captured and jumping off a prison ship and swimming to freedom. He was injured near FredericK, MD and spent the rest of the war in the Veteran Reserve Corps. Thank goodness, because the 16th Michigan was decimated at Gettysburg and he may not have survived. I have no idea if the prison ship story is true or not, but he is buried at the Cemetery at the Michigan Home for Veterans (formerly “The Soldiers’ Home”) in Grand Rapids, MI. His grave is in the second row in front of the monument statue. RIP Uncle Peter! I tip my cap when I run by in the morning.

[mgunny]

The gentleman presenting this, knowledge, the “casual confidence” shown that one knows he KNOWS this history…..his voice alone should be used in others!….a EXCELLENT presentation! 👏👏👏🍺🍺🍺!!

[ultrametric]

Great work! I played in woods just like these as a kid in Atlanta. We would find rusted bayonets and Minie balls all the time - and we found a shallow grave in what would have been the Confederate rear. Keep up the good work with the Trust! Best wishes!

[pepperjo]

My gg grandfather was with the 60th Virginia. Thank you for your presentation and maps.

[molipaul]

In May 2016 I was traveling from MD to visit my parents in Greensboro, NC and stopped here around dusk. I was the only person around and will never forget the sense of awe as I walked along the stream bed path where so many had sacrificed so many years before. Thank you for this informative video.

[jasonalexander]

No matter how big or small, where someone fought and gave there life for the cause should be remembered and protected. Small sermirmishes in the American wars might also lead to what happens in a bigger battle. Thanks A.B.T you guys are AWESOME for saving and helping remember history👍

[Thedaleb]

Glad this is preserved. In goochland by the country club in tuckahoe plantation there were lots of earth works in the woods unfortunately it is now a neighborhood

[bjackson]

Good presenter, no distracting arm waving, etc. Good voice and inflection.

[hughmarloweverest]

Thank you, saluting the fallen on both sides, and the wounded, mentally and physically.

[bobbeckman]

Thanks. My great great great grandfather lost an eye fighting in Picket’s division at Gaines’s Mill. Always glad to hear about the battle.

[mr.billofcourse.]

I have been there two or three times. I have never seen anybody else on the battlefield
One of my favorites places when visiting Richmond. I sometimes get that eerie feeling
that some body is watching me. This is the time of year I like to visit the battlefields.
Good video. I'm going to Gettysburg next month for a few days. Always something
new when I go there.

[MrIdasam]

All those Cicadas; reminds me of summers growing up in the deep south.

[brandysmith]

I just returned from a private tour of the Seven Days Battles with noted author Doug Crenshaw. It was a great experience. The Gaines Mill battlefield is remarkably well preserved, The area around the creek where Hood's Texans broke through the gap in the Union lines is impressive. It is even more impressive when one realizes that the hills on either side of the depression from which the Union soldiers were firing down were probably much higher during the battle and the depression the Confederate soldiers charged up was much lower. Thanks for a great day, Doug! Mike Wilson

[sdvhmxx]

I love ❤️ Gaines’ Mill, out of all the Civil war parks in 804 it has the most charming landscape. It’s a nice place to get away from all the pervasive ugly neighborhood subdivisions, strip malls, Big box shopping centers, park lots. Besides being next to 295 and hearing the roar of the highway, it’s a nice place to step back in time.

[terryeustice]

Great narrative on this battle. Never really heard of this site. So proud that your preservation of this site. Thank you for sharing!

[jaycourtois]

I haven't seen Krick in awhile..he never ages..and still one of the best.

[johnnystieferman]

I grew up in Fredricksburg va, we had a farm on the Rappahaock river i still remember cannon emplacements over looking the river, found a cannon ball many bullets, wish we could have had a metal detector back in the late 60, s but they were very expensive then..there was a lot of fighting done there..,

[rogerashmore]

Thank you very much! It's important to know and remember our history.

[ravinraven]

This is what I been needing to see, I think I need to go traveling and see these old sites. Cold harbor had 17, 000 casualties and gaines mill has about 14, 000. The things those brave men fought for was more virtuous that any other conflict outside WW2. They loved our land and our people, they loved everything that made us united.

now we are more divided, imagine if the south hadnt been able to "fully agree" on secession. Thats how we are today, so if we had another civil war, it would be city against city or just person against person in the same city.

We must all remember what transpired for us to be free, for all people to be created equal. A land of liberty and love, a land of hope and aspirations, a land of dreams that are meant to come true.

[ewittkofs]

This is an amazing battlefield that’s worth saving.