Near Henrico in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Outgunned
Battle of Malvern Hill
Parts of several Virginia batteries fought on this ridge. Usually no more than six cannon were in position here at any one time, only about 950 yards from the line of Federal guns on Malvern Hill. These little clumps of artillery proved no match for the more powerful and accurate Union pieces. By twilight the edge of the field was littered with dead horses and men.
The failure of the Confederates to mass their artillery at any one place together with the superior range and precision of the Union guns, ensured the failure of Lee's plan.
"We only saved the battery from utter destruction by loading the guns low down on the slope and running them up near enough to the crest of the rise to fire them, and the [recoil] would run them back into a sheltered position."
Capt. Greenlee Davidson, Letcher Artillery
The Purcell Battery composed mostly of men from Richmond, was one of the Virginia units that absorbed terrific punishment here. Its captain was Willy Pegram, who had celebrated his 21st birthday only days earlier. His battery had three of its four cannon disabled, and lost twenty horses killed and twenty men injured. By the end of the battle, Captain Pegram was helping to operate the one remaining gun himself.
Erected by Richmond National Battlefield Park - National Park Service - Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 37° 25.216′ N, 77° 15.197′ W. Marker is near Henrico, Virginia, in Henrico County. Marker is on Carters Mill Road just north of Willis Church Road (Virginia 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 in this post office area: 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. Confederate Futility (a few steps from this marker); Malvern Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Confederate Futility (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Madness" (about 500 feet away); Battlefield Burials (about 700 feet away); Historic Farm Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Confederate High Water Mark (approx. 0.2 miles away); Seven Days Battles (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henrico.
More about this marker. In the center of the marker is a portrait of Captain Pegram.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,135 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 1, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 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 August 8, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 5. submitted on August 9, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 6. submitted on April 1, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.