Saving History Saturday: The American Battlefield Trust Announces Final Phase in the Gaines’ Mill-Cold Harbor Saved Forever Campaign

The American Battlefield Trust (ABT) has begun the final phase of their Gaines’ Mill-Cold Harbor Saved Forever Campaign.

Begun in 2020, ABT is closing in on the final phase of being able to preserve one square mile of pristine battlefield, land that was a part of both the Battle of Gaines’ Mill in June 1862, and again almost 2 years later with the June 1864 Battle of Cold Harbor.

On June 27, 1862, the 34,000-man Union V Corps, commanded by Gen. Fitz John Porter faced off against Gen. Robert E. Lee’s nearly 60,000 confederates. Lee’s men eventually overran the V Corps during a twilight assault, securing Lee’s first major victory commanding the Army of Northern Virginia.

On June 1, 1864, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, commanding general of U.S. forces ordered the first of multiple attacks of what would be a nearly two-week long engagement, ending with Grant shifting the army across the James River towards Petersburg.

ABT has preserved 655 acres at Gaines’ Mill-Cold Harbor and is looking to raise the last $184,295 to secure the final piece of this current preservation project, adding to that number. A Richmond-area donor will match up to $50,000 towards completing protecting this historic double battlefield.

To learn more about the Gaines’ Mill-Cold Harbor Saved Forever Campaign, click here.