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, members of the color guard at the North Anna River suffered heavy losses. Nearly one hundred Rhode Islanders fell during these two engagements. The Seventh Regiment was stationed at Cold Harbor where thousands of Union soldiers were killed or wounded in a short period. They also participated in skirmishes at Bethesda Church and Mechanicsville.