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

Battle Commences

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007

1. Battle Commences Marker

Inscription. A march of less than three miles from the Glendale battlefield brought the Confederates to this spot at the foot of Malvern Hill. In earlier times it was a peaceful landscape, but on July 1 a line of Union artillery with infantry supports held the crest of the hill, not 800 yards from here. Their position was in front of the West House, which can be seen in the distance. When the Southern infantry arrived in this treeless space those guns opened fire with devastating exploding shells and solid shot. For most of the day the valley of Western Run behind you served as a natural shelter for these soldiers of General D.H. Hill’s division.

Late in the afternoon Hill’s infantry began its assault against the Union position. George B. Anderson’s brigade advanced part way up the hill before stalling and falling back. Other brigades fought to within 200 yards of the Union guns, but were decimated by canister rounds. The gentle slope, combined with extensive field of fire, gave the Union artillery an ideal setting for its destructive work.

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 date for this entry is July 1, 1862.

Location. 37° 25.108′ N, 77° 14.824′

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W. Marker is near Henrico, Virginia, in Henrico County. It is on Willis Church Road (Virginia Route 156) 0.2 miles north of Carter Mills Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in the Malvern Hill Battlefield Unit of the Richmond National Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Henrico VA 23231, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Methodist Parsonage (a few steps from this marker); Willis Church Parsonage (a few steps from this marker); The Gathering Storm (a few steps from this marker); Malvern Hill Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Twilight Action (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of Malvern Hill (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Infantry Against Infantry (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named The Battle of Malvern Hill (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henrico.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Battle of Malvern Hill Trail (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. Richmond National Battlefield Park. National Park Service. (Submitted on January 11, 2009.)

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

2. Malvern Hill - CWPT

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

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

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 21, 2010

3. Battle Commences Marker

Methodist Parsonage image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007

4. Methodist Parsonage

Marker is located on the Malvern Hill Battlefield, in front of the ruins of the Methodist Parsonage.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,303 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on September 20, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on January 11, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on March 28, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 1, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on January 11, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.