Grant's One Regret, Justice Cheney's One Life

Justice (or Justus) Cheney
DOB: May 11, 1835, Hopkinton, NY
D: June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, VA
Relation to Author: 2nd Great Grand Uncle
Brother of 2nd great grandfather, Jesse Cheney

In a previous post I noted that Grant said his one regret was the early assault at Cold Harbor. I also said that Justice Cheney was wounded at Cold Harbor and died from his wounds. What wasn't clear at the time was whether Justice was part of that attack. I now know that in fact he was - and at the very front.

In this diagram, from Cold Harbor: Grant and Lee, May 26-June 3, 1864 by Gordon C. Rhea, we see only the forces that were part of the early morning June 3rd attack. And if you look closely, you can see "7NYHA" out in front of all others on the Union side (right). That is Justice's regiment - the Seventh New York Heavy Artillery.

Just let that sink in. Justice Cheney, the author's 2nd Great Grand Uncle, was in the regiment in the very front of the attack that lost so many lives and years later would be Grant's one regret. And this wasn't a grizzled veteran; he had joined the regiment just one month earlier.


I plan to read Rhea's book (he is considered the preeminent historian on Grant's Overland campaign and therefore the book the authoritative account of Cold Harbor). I have seen enough on Google books to know that there is good information on the Seventh NY Heavy Artillery. I will summarize in future posts.