The Battle of Malvern Hill
Couch Defends the Union Right
Although the best known fighting on July 1, 1862, occurred across the road to the west, half of the battlefield is situated here, in front of the West House. Union infantrymen of General Darius Couch’s division occupied the far forward slope of Malvern Hill in front of you. More than one dozen cannon posted here along this gentle crest cemented the position. Couch’s men outdistanced their artillery by several hundred yards in front, very near the Confederate lines. One New York regiment advanced so far it lost several men to friendly fire from these guns. On most Civil War battlefields the artillery and infantry were closer together, often providing mutual support.
Soldiers from General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s wing of the Confederate army anchored Robert E. Lee’s left, facing this position. From here Union batteries helped suppress Jackson’s artillery on the Poindexter Farm (a half-mile to the northeast) during the battle’s opening minutes.
Toward sunset the Confederate attacks became more determined as Jackson’s troops pushed onto the high ground of Malvern Hill and laid down disruptive musketry fire. Fresh regiments from both the Second and Third Corps of the Federal army moved through the artillery here as they hastened to the extreme front.
Marker is on Willis Church Road (Virginia Route 156), on the left when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
