Near Henrico in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle of Malvern Hill
Stonewall Jacksons Men Threaten the Union Right
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007
1. The Battle of Malvern Hill Marker
There was no cessation or diminution yet of the enemys fire musketry here which swept the field to such an extent that it was difficult to believe anything could escape unhurt.
- Lt. McHenry Howard, Confederate staff officer
The 15,000 men of Stonewall Jackson brought to the battlefield saw little action on July 1 before dusk. Responding then to calls for help from other hard-pressed Confederates, Jackson sent most of two divisions up the front slope of Malvern Hill just east of The Parsonage.
The attack sputtered out almost immediately. Units collided in the growing darkness, or wandered unguided into the swampy woods. Parts of four different brigades managed to find positions along this little ridge, where they delivered effective volleys through the twilight, primarily against Sickles and Barlow. Only the arrival of total darkness stopped the action here.
The fighting on the northeast end of Malvern Hill offers a partial explanation of how the Union army surprisingly lost 3,000 men killed and wounded. Although this battle is justly famous for the dominance of Union artillery, there still were many bitter, close-quarters infantry actions that led to large numbers of casualties.
Our regiment had orders to fire we made it countwhile we was at it there wasent won man flinched in our regiment. I felt it my duty to stand till I fell or conquered.
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- William Harman, 65th New York Infantry
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1862.
Location. 37° 25.049′ N, 77° 14.791′ W. Marker is near Henrico, Virginia, in Henrico County. It can be reached from Willis Church Road (Virginia Route 156), on the left when traveling south. The marker stands along a hiking trail of the Malvern Hill Battlefield that passes through a parking lot on the east side of Willis Church Road. 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.
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: Infantry Against Infantry (a few steps from this marker); Twilight Action (within shouting distance of this marker); Malvern Hill Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Malvern Hill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Methodist Parsonage (about 400 feet away); Battle Commences (about 400 feet away); Willis Church Parsonage (about 500 feet away); The Gathering Storm (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henrico.
Another marker is no
Photographed by Craig Swain, March 21, 2010
2. The Battle of Malvern Hill Marker
More about this marker. The bottom left of the marker features a photograph of Gen. Winder, with the caption Brigadier General Charles S. Winders brigade was engaged on this part of the field. Winder would be killed less than two months later, on August 9, 1862, at the Battle of Cedar Mountain. The center of the marker contains a photograph of Gen. Sickles, with the caption Brigadier General Daniel E. Sickles would eventually become a major general and command the Third Corps. One year later, on July 2, 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg, Sickles was severely wounded and had to have his right leg amputated. The right of the marker has a battle map showing troop positions and movements during the July 1, 1862 battle.
Also see . . .
1. Malvern Hill. CWSAC Battle Summaries. (Submitted on January 1, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Malvern Hill Battlefield Podcast. National Park Service website. (Submitted on January 1, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed by Craig Swain, March 21, 2010
3. Clash of Infantry
Looking south across the battlefield toward the West House. In this area the infantry of the two armies clashed face to face.
4. Malvern Hill - CWPT
Civil War Preservation Trust's efforts to preserve portions of the battlefield.
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,160 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on October 1, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on January 1, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2, 3. submitted on March 31, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on March 28, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
