Near Henrico in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Battle of Malvern Hill

Couch Defends the Union Right

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007

1. The Battle of Malvern Hill Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Although the best known fighting on July 1, 1862, occurred across the road to the west, half of the battlefield is situated here, in front of the West House. Union infantrymen of General Darius Couch’s division occupied the far forward slope of Malvern Hill in front of you. More than one dozen cannon posted here along this gentle crest cemented the position. Couch’s men outdistanced their artillery by several hundred yards in front, very near the Confederate lines. One New York regiment advanced so far it lost several men to friendly fire from these guns. On most Civil War battlefields the artillery and infantry were closer together, often providing mutual support.

Soldiers from General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s wing of the Confederate army anchored Robert E. Lee’s left, facing this position. From here Union batteries helped suppress Jackson’s artillery on the Poindexter Farm (a half-mile to the northeast) during the battle’s opening minutes.

Toward sunset the Confederate attacks became more determined as Jackson’s troops pushed onto the high ground of Malvern Hill and laid down disruptive musketry fire. Fresh regiments

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from both the Second and Third Corps of the Federal army moved through the artillery here as they hastened to the extreme front.

Erected by Richmond National Battlefield Park – National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1825.

Location. 37° 24.817′ N, 77° 14.877′ W. Marker is near Henrico, Virginia, in Henrico County. Marker is on Willis Church Road (Virginia Route 156), on the left when traveling south. Marker is in the Malvern Hill Battlefield Unit of Richmond National Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9051 Malvern Hill Battlefield Terrain, Henrico VA 23231, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Artillery’s Terrible Effect (here, next to this marker); A Battlefield Landmark (within shouting distance of this marker); The West House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Seven Days Battles (about 300 feet away); Battlefield of Malvern Hill (about 400 feet away); Battlefield Landscape (about 500 feet away); Union Reserves (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Seven Days Battles (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henrico.

More about this marker. The right of the marker

Malvern Hill - CWPT image. Click for more information.

2. Malvern Hill - CWPT

Civil War Preservation Trust's efforts to preserve portions of the battlefield.
Click for more information.

features a painting titled “Malvern Hill” by Don Stivers. The caption says that the picture “conveys a sense of the Union artillery’s power atop Malvern Hill.” The bottom of the marker contains a photograph with the caption “This 1880’s view looks west toward the Crew House. It shows the original West House, which stood on the ground to your left rear where a more modern structure stands today. (Drawing from Battles and Leaders).”

Also see . . .
1. Malvern Hill. CWSAC Battle Summaries. (Submitted on January 11, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. Touring Richmond’s Battlefields. National Park Service website. (Submitted on January 11, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

3. Malvern Hill Battlefield Podcast. National Park Service website. (Submitted on January 11, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

4. The Seven Days Battle. HistoryCentral.com website. (Submitted on January 11, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

The Battle of Malvern Hill Marker and Cannons image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 21, 2010

3. The Battle of Malvern Hill Marker and Cannons

The furthest cannon from the camera is an authentic 3-inch Ordnance Rifle. It is registry number 803, forged in 1864 by Phoenix Iron Works, of Pennsylvania. The closest to the camera is a reproduction.

Cannon at the West House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007

4. Cannon at the West House

The Union line was established here, in front of the West House mentioned in the marker.

Union Artillery on Malvern Hill image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007

5. Union Artillery on Malvern Hill

This photo, taken from in front of the marker, shows the location of the Union artillery that were the objective of the July 1, 1862 Confederate assault.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,440 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 11, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2, 3. submitted on March 28, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on January 11, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.