Take a comprehensive battlefield tour of the Seven Days’ Battles and the battle of Cold Harbor.
Spend a day and tour the main Richmond area battlefields. The first, the Seven Days’ Battles, is part of the defense of Richmond in the summer of 1862 which would see the rise of Robert E. Lee. The second, Cold Harbor, is the last of Ulysses S. Grant’s famous Overland Campaign before Grant crosses the James River in the summer of 1864.
Your private battlefield tour will start in front of the Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitor Center (5515 Anderson Wright Dr. Mechanicsville, VA 23111), where you will meet your own battlefield guide. Receive a tour introduction and see a part of the original Confederate line defending Richmond.
Follow the Confederate forces to Beaver Dam Creek and then travel to a portion of the Gaines’ Mill battlefield which saw the heaviest fighting of the Seven Days’ Battles on June 27, 1862.
Continue following the armies as they battle and cross the Chickahominy River. See several battlefields and important historical sites along the way.
The climax of the tour is a visit to the Malvern Hill battlefield. This was the last of the Seven Days’ Battles fought on July 1, 1862. Stand on the Union defensive line where their artillery was massed with the hopes of smashing the Confederate attack.
We’ll take a 30-minute lunch break where your battlefield guide will give you a recommendation for a quick counter service location or restaurant if requested.
After lunch, begin the Cold Harbor part of your tour where a good portion takes place off of the Cold Harbor National Park property.
Travel to battlefield sites that led up to the battle of Cold Harbor; May 31-June 12, 1864.
Go to Haw’s Shop where a large cavalry action erupts as Grant crosses the Pamunkey River.
Next travel to the Totopotomoy Creek battlefield where Grant will find Lee dug in a commanding ridge, blocking him from Richmond.
Later, follow both armies as movement shifts to the Cold Harbor crossroads, just 10 miles north of Richmond.
Travel to the Cold Harbor National Park property where the center of the battlefield is preserved. See Confederate entrenched positions that will repulse Robert E. Grant’s repeated attacks. Hear personal stories from both sides.
We will discuss how the battle is remembered as one of American history’s bloodiest, most lopsided battles.
This private battlefield combo tour pairs nicely with the battles of Spotsylvania Court House and the North Anna: Civil War Earthworks combo tour, which are the previous Overland Campaign battles leading up to Cold Harbor.
Let us show you the way as you relax and skip the self-guided tour hassle. Your own battlefield guide will meet you in front of the Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitor Center (5515 Anderson Wright Dr. Mechanicsville, VA 23111).
After an introduction, your battlefield guide will join your vehicle as you depart to your first stop. It is recommended that the battlefield guide drive your vehicle so you can relax and enjoy the tour, but it’s up to you who drives.
Joining your vehicle keeps the cost down so you can see more battlefields with us.
Step-on battlefield guides are available for larger passenger vehicles (van or bus). For more information and prices, please contact us.
Note: The Seven Days’ Battles and Battle of Cold Harbor can be tailored into one of our Custom Battlefield Tours.
