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

Advantages of Terrain

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 21, 2010

1. Advantages of Terrain Marker

Inscription. Today, heavy woods have replaced the vast rolling wheat fields upon which the armies fought. Timber also hides the steep slopes and jagged ravines that shielded the flanks of the Union position.

The rough terrain forced most of the Confederates to advance across the flat open fields astride the Willis Church road. Still, portions of two Confederate divisions attempted to negotiate this drainage that led directly to the Union position. The steep slopes protected the Southern infantrymen from most of the Union artillery fire, but a few well-placed Union cannons were positioned behind you to sweep this ravine. A vigorous counterattack by a Federal brigade cleared the ravine of Confederates by nightfall and preserved the Union position.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 37° 24.752′ N, 77° 15.147′ W. Marker is near Richmond, Virginia, in Henrico County. It can be reached from Willis Church Road (State Highway 156), on the right when traveling south. Located in the Malvern Hill Battlefield Unit of the Richmond National Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9070 Willis Church Rd, Henrico VA 23231, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

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: A Place of Refuge (a few steps from this marker); The Crew House

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Malvern Hill Crest (within shouting distance of this marker); “the grandest sean of all” (within shouting distance of this marker); Freeman Marker (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Malvern Hill (about 400 feet away); Malvern Cliffs (about 600 feet away); A Splendid Field of Battle (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Last Day (was about 700 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. On the bottom half of the marker is A view of this portion of the battlefield shortly after the war. The slave quarters in the right of the picture stood about 300 yards in front of you.

2. Malvern Hill - CWPT

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

Reproduction 12-pdr Gun and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 21, 2010

3. Reproduction 12-pdr Gun and Marker

A house built on the site of the Crew House is in the background.

Cannons Cover the Ravine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 21, 2010

4. Cannons Cover the Ravine

Looking down the barrel of the reproduction gun into the ravine mentioned on the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,257 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 3, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on March 28, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on April 3, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.