Seven Days Battles - Malvern Hill
Posted by: 
archway
N 37° 25.000 W 077° 14.939
18S E 300978 N 4143470
This historical marker describes events that occurred during the Seven Days Battles in July, 1862.
Waymark Code: WM73JZ
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 08/27/2009
Views: 9
The Battle of Malvern Hill was the final engagement of the Seven Days Battles. General Robert E. Lee planned an intricate attack on retreating Union forces which fell apart almost immediately. The Confederate divisions were hampered on their approach by muddy roads, thick woods, and poor scouts. The Union army, meanwhile, fortified their position on favorable ground at Malvern Hill. Once the Confederate line had formed, it was bombarded by accurate Union artillery fire that disabled the Confederate batteries. Lee sent in his infantry, but by nightfall the Confederate army had made no progress and suffered heavy losses. The Union army continued their retreat to the James River, bringing an end to the Peninsula Campaign.
Across the road here stretched the Confederate line of battle, facing south, in the afternoon of July 1, 1862. Jackson commanded here, Magruder to the west. Longstreet and A. P. Hill were in reserve. The battle lasted intermittently, from morning to night, reaching its crisis late in the afternoon. The disjointed Confederate attacks were repulsed with heavy loss.