May 30, 1864---The Battle of Crump's Creek; The Battle of Shady Grove Road; The Battle of Old Church; The Battle of Bethesda Church

MAY 30, 1864:            

The Battle of Crump’s Creek:           

As Union units try to swing around the Confederate flank, they become bogged down in the wetlands of Crump’s Creek. A vicious firefight breaks out between the mired Union troops and Confederate sharpshooters who inflict heavy casualties on the stuck men. 

The Battle of Shady Grove Road:      

Union troops moving toward the town of Hanover Court House engage in battle with Confederate pickets sent to delay and harass them. After a violent exchange, the pickets are killed or driven off, but they have successfully delayed the Union advance for the day. 

The Battle of Old Church (The Battle of Matadequin Creek):         

 By this point in the greater battle of Topopotomoy Creek, Union units are fighting everywhere between the North Anna River and the Chickahominy River, facing off with determined Confederate resistance. The Old Church is just 1.5 miles away from, and thus within easy reach of the crossroads of Old Cold Harbor, a town which is just six miles from Richmond. Robert E. Lee knows that if the Union can take Old Cold Harbor it can essentially walk into Richmond in a day, and so he orders crack troops to hold the line at Matadequin Creek. Although the Rebels fight the Union infantry to a standstill, Union cavalry under General George Armstrong Custer overrun the Confederate positions along the creek, opening the road to Old Cold Harbor.    

 

The Battle of Bethesda Church:        

Not far from the Old Church, Union troops force their way south of Matadequin Creek toward Beulah Church. By the end of the day, Old Cold Harbor is in the grip of two Union pincers just waiting to close.