History Daily: Episode Summary - "Retreat from Cold Harbor"

Release Date: June 12, 2025
Host: Lindsey Graham
Produced by: Airship, Noiser, Wondery

Introduction: The Prelude to Cold Harbor

On June 1, 1864, amidst the thick woods of Hanover County, Virginia, the Battle of Cold Harbor marks a pivotal moment in the American Civil War. Host Lindsey Graham sets the scene by introducing listeners to Confederate Private Green W. Hodge, a 19-year-old soldier tasked with patrolling the dense forests to monitor Union movements.

[00:00] Lindsey Graham: "It's June 1, 1864, in Hanover County, Virginia. During the fourth year of the American Civil War, 19-year-old Confederate Private Green W. Hodge creeps through the thick woods on the lookout for Union soldiers."

A Soldier's Narrow Escape: Private Hodge's Experience

Private Hodge's narrative vividly recounts a harrowing encounter where he narrowly escapes being shot by Union forces. As he navigates the perilous environment, a Union captain unexpectedly tends to his wounded leg instead of delivering a fatal blow, highlighting moments of humanity amidst the brutality of war.

[00:00] Lindsey Graham: "As Private Green W. Hodge crawls back to the safety of the Confederate lines, he'll recount in amazement the story of the Union captain who saved his life rather than kill him."

Despite this act of mercy, the battle intensifies, leading to prolonged conflict that lasts 11 agonizing days before concluding on June 12, 1864.

Union Strategy and General Hancock's Night March

Transitioning to the strategic maneuvers of the Union forces, Lindsey details the challenges faced by General Winfield Hancock during the night of June 2, 1864. Tasked with leading 15,000 men through treacherous, moonlit woods to reinforce positions at Cold Harbor, Hancock's decision-making under duress becomes a focal point.

[03:21] Lindsey Graham: "With the amount of ground his men have covered so far, General Hancock thinks they should have hit the southern Chickahominy River by now. But they haven't."

Hancock's forced halt due to exhausted troops and slow progress places the Union army at a strategic disadvantage, providing Confederate General Robert E. Lee with the opportunity to strengthen defensive positions.

The Failed Assault: General Ricketts' Offensive

On June 3, 1864, General James Ricketts leads a determined but ultimately unsuccessful assault against Confederate defenses. Lindsey Graham provides a detailed account of the chaotic and muddy battlefield conditions that plagued the Union troops.

[11:17] Lindsey Graham: "During the first 45 minutes of the assault, as they slogged blindly through the fog toward the Confederate defenses, over 1,000 Union soldiers were killed and 7,000 more were wounded."

The heavy casualties and failed breakthrough force Ricketts to order a retreat, highlighting the severe losses endured by the Union forces and the formidable resilience of Confederate troops.

Aftermath and Union Retreat

Following the disastrous attack, General Ulysses S. Grant orders a strategic withdrawal from Cold Harbor. Despite initial expectations that Lee could not anticipate a mass retreat, the Union army successfully maneuvers 100,000 troops across the James River undetected.

[17:22] Lindsey Graham: "The Union army's retreat has been predicted by Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Still, what Lee has not foreseen is that the 100,000-strong Union army could withdraw in a single night."

This maneuver allows the Union forces to reposition towards Petersburg, a critical logistical hub, setting the stage for prolonged siege warfare that would contribute to the eventual downfall of the Confederacy.

Conclusion: The Toll of Cold Harbor

Lindsey Graham concludes by reflecting on the immense human cost of the Battle of Cold Harbor. With nearly 2,000 Union soldiers killed and thousands more wounded in a failed assault, the battle epitomizes the futility and tragedy of trench warfare during the Civil War.

[17:22] Lindsey Graham: "The collapse of the Confederacy will not bring back those who lost their lives, and General Grant's haste to end the war when almost 2,000 Union soldiers were killed and thousands more wounded in a failed attack that ended in retreat at Cold Harbor on June 12, 1864."

This episode underscores the strategic miscalculations and relentless human suffering that characterized one of the Civil War's most brutal engagements.

Production Credits

• Hosted and Edited by: Lindsey Graham
• Audio Editing: Mohammed Shazi
• Sound Design: Gabriel Gould
• Supervising Sound Designer: Matthew Filler
• Music: Thrum
• Written and Researched by: Owen Paul Nichols
• Edited by: Scott Reeves
• Managing Producer: Emily Byrne
• Executive Producers: William Simpson (Airship) and Pascal Hughes (Noiser)

This summary encapsulates the key historical narratives and strategic decisions surrounding the Retreat from Cold Harbor, as presented in the "History Daily" podcast episode hosted by Lindsey Graham.