Chronology of Wartime Service

July 1, 1862

Battle of Malvern Hill, VA.

"The Confederates, marching at daybreak, passed over roads which were strewn with arms, blankets, and equipment....three or four miles south of White Oak Swamp, Jackson's column, which was leading the Confederate advance, came under the fire of the Federal batteries (at Malvern Hill). It was not till four o'clock that the line of battle was formed. Jackson on the left, with Whiting to the left of the Quaker Road, and D.H. Hill to the right; Ewell's and Jackson's own divisions were in reserve." Henderson, pp. 60-61.

Original plan for frontal assault following artillery barrage, but ground prevented deployment of sufficient artillery. Although plan abandoned, D.H. Hill's troops moved forward in frontal assault due to mistaken signal. Hill's attacks were repelled and supporting attacks by Huger and Magruder were also repelled, resulting in over 5000 casualties. Henderson notes failure of Jackson's reserves to support Hill's advance (i.e. Ewell and Winder with Lawton): "Jackson, meanwhile, on receiving a request for reinforcements, had sent forward three brigades of his own division, and a brigade of Hill's. But a mistake had been made in the disposition of these troops. The order for attack had undoubtedly named only D. H. Hill's division. But there was no good reason that it should have been so literally construed as to leave the division unsupported....Ewell and Winder were doing nothing, and there can be no question but that they should have advanced to the edge of the woods directly D. H. Hill moved forward, and have followed his brigades across the open, ready to lend aid directly his line was checked. As it was, they had halted within the woods and beyyond the swamp, and the greater part, in order to avoid the random shells, had moved even further to the rear. It thus happens that before the reenforcements arrived Hill's division had been beaten back..." Henderson, p. 64. (Description of field at p. 60 and map at p. 65).

Union forces retired during the night eight miles in considerable disorder to Harrison's Landing.

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Last Updated: Jan. 21, 2001