The battle of Cold Harbor (Bomb proofs)

1864

Imagine hiding in a ditch while cannons boom nearby—that's the reality Edwin Forbes captured here in 1864. During the Battle of Cold Harbor, he sketched these 'bomb proofs,' which were essentially reinforced dugouts where Union soldiers tried to catch a break from the artillery. It’s a classic example of Realism, showing the weary, unglamorous side of war with troops lounging under a tree and huddled in the dirt. The flag in the background waves over a scene that is less about heroism and more about survival.

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