On May 18 and again on May 23 at the North Anna River every member of the color guard was killed or wounded. In these two engagements nearly one hundred Rhode Islanders fell. The Seventh was in reserve at Cold Harbor, where 7,000 Union soldiers became casualties in less than ten minutes; but were engaged in skirmishes at Bethesda Church and Mechanicsville.
On May 18th and May 23rd, the color guard suffered heavy casualties at the North Anna River. The Seventh Regiment was involved in battles at Cold Harbor, Bethesda Church, and Mechanicsville.