May 31, 1864

This was the first "official" day of the fighting at Cold Harbor. Major General Fitzhugh Lee was sent in to help reinforce the troops fighting under Brigadier General Matthew Butler. They were to secure the crossroads at Old Cold Harbor. This was easier said than done. Lets just keep in mind that Fitzhugh Lee was a nephew of General Robert E. Lee.

One of the problems that the Confederates faced in securing the crossroads was that Brigadier General Alfred T. A. Torbert was increasing pressure on the Confederates. So Robert E. Lee ordered Major General Richard H. Anderson to shift to the right from Totopotomoy Creek so that he could support the cavalry. Eventually, Major General Robert F. Hoke joined Butler and Lee at the crossroads.

At 4pm Torbert and parts of Brigadier General David Mc Gregg's cavalry were able to drive off the Confederates from the Old Cold Harbor crossroads. But Major General Philip Sheridan ordered Torbert to pull back to Old Church when he learned that Confederate reinforcements were being pulled to back Butler, Lee, and Hoke.

In the meantime, Major General Horatio G. Wright (USA) moved to Old Cold Harbor.

General Ulysses S. Grant was very much interested in the crossroads and ordered Sheridan to secure the crossroads "at all hazards" (which basically means - hold it regardless of what happens).

So at 1 am Torbert returned to the crossroads and that's when he learned that the Confederates never noticed that he had withdrawn his men.

This was the first day of the fighting at Cold Harbor. Only 14 more days of fighting to study!