The Para-Historical Research Group

Through the distant treeline and across these fields on July 1st, 1862, Confederate troops under Generals Magruder, Jackson, and Longstreet stormed McClellan's impenetrable positions, to no avail.  Thousands fell under the tremendous Federal artillery barrage. Those who got near  were repelled by Infantry forces waiting in the wings.

 Instruments of death: Pieces of artillery commonly used by both sides during the war.  The projectile/missile types could be lobbed thousands of yards.  The one in the center, third from the right, is cannister. Its usually filled with ball bearings but in a pinch could be filled with rocks, glass shards, even watches and cuff links (yes, this happend).    Artillery Commanders ordered this to be used starting about 300 yards or less.  It was often used at point blank range to devastating effect. At Malvern Hill, the cannister raked the wide field whenever Confederate infantry came anywhere near the front, leaving hundreds of men hiding behind slopes or under the bodies of the dead....

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 The Confederate artillery view.  Across the field in the distance you can see the West house.  From that house and for some distance to the right, Federal artillary were staged with about 40 Napolian 10-12 pouders.  Lee's idea here was for Confederate artillery to counter the Union barrage and create a cross fire, from here and from a house to the far left (the Poindexter farm), hopefully weakening the Federal position enough for Jackson and Magruders Infantry to attack.  The exact opposite occurred as the Confederate cannons were no match. 

Murphy's Law: Magruder's troops attempted to storm up a hill inside the woods to the far right near the patch of dirt.  The order to charge was given prematurely due to confusion over Lee's orders, which simply stated to "charge" upon hearing the main Confederate attack commence.  In any event, Federal cannons met them coming up the hill (see photo below) and raked the the confederates with canniser. Infantry simultaniously showered them with point blank rifle fire. One Union soldier stationed at the top of the hill described the scene as a "turkey shoot."

Murphy's hill: From here Magruders Confederates attempted a charge up this hill toward the Federal position atop Malvern Hill.  Carnage resulted.  In 1862, this was an open valley containing a large wheat field.

A cool site and a must-see for those interested in battlefield hauntings

Below: The remains of Willis Church today. Lee watched the battle from across the Quaker road in those trees. At the time there was a blacksmith shop there.  A Confederate officer was blown apart here as the Federal artillery barrage started.  He never knew what hit him. Note the West house in the distance to the right.  This was the position of Federal cannons. You can easily see that anyone exposed here was a sitting duck...

 Grim reminder: Look closely and make out the hole in the ground in the center of this photo. This was a hasty Confederate grave, probably dug while the battle still raged.  Confederates dragged the dead into theses woods and buried them, protected here from the deadly Unions artillery.  Most of the bodies were moved to Richmond cemeteries soon after.  Holes like this dot the landscape of the woods around Malvern Hill.

Click here for a complete history of the battle

A cool site and a must-see for those interested in battlefield hauntings

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Re-enactors staged a mock artillery barrage on 19 April 08, the first time live artillery had fired on Malvern Hill since the actual battle in 1862.