Seven Days Battles - Malvern Hill
Posted by: 
archway
N 37° 24.716 W 077° 14.939
18S E 300965 N 4142944
This historical marker describes events that occurred during the Seven Days Battles in July, 1862.
Waymark Code: WM73VT
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 08/29/2009
Views: 7
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 troops were hampered on thier 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 Confederates had made no progress and suffered heavy losses. The Union army retreated to the James River, bringing an end to the Peninsula Campaign.
Across the road here stretched the Union line of battle in the afternoon of July 1, 1862. Couch's, Kearney's and Hooker's divisions were to the east of the road, Morell to the west, with Sykes in reserve. The Confederates made several attacks and, for a time, the battle trembled in the balance; but the assailants were finally repulsed. In the night the Union army withdrew to James River.