Glendale/Malvern Hill
30 June 1862/1 July 1862

General Description: This property is comprised of three parcels totaling 733.57 acres. 208 of the acres are located at the southern-most section of the Glendale Battlefield. The balance, the Malvern Hill parcels, include the Parsonage ruins, the are where Confederate forces formed up for the assault on Malvern Hill, and the attack routes themselves.

Civil War History: The Battles of Glendale, June 30, 1862, and Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862, were the final two actions of the famous Seven Days' Campaign. Following Union General George B. McClellan's laborious advance up the Peninsula in April/May 1862, and General Robert E. Lee's appointment to command of the Confederate army on June 1st, the two armies sat facing each other, waiting for reinforcements and the opportunity to make a move.

Taking advantage of McClellan's passivity, Lee took the initiative and on June 26, 1862 struck McClellan's exposed right flank first at Mechanicsville, then the next day at Gaines Mill. Once McClellan decided to change his base of supplies to Harrison's Landing on the James River, Lee saw the opportunity to destroy the Army of the Potomac as it retreated south.

After an unsuccessful attempt to defeat McClellan on June 29 at Savage's Station, Lee planned to cut off the Federal retreat route the next day at Glendale. Converging Confederate forces under James Longstreet, A.P. Hill and Benjamin Huger were to press the Federal forces from the west, while Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson was to overwhelm the Federal rearguard at White Oak Swamp to the north.

As had happened all week, Lee's plans went awry. Only Hill and Longstreet's division were sent into the fray, and although temporarily successful around the Glendale crossroads, Federal reinforcements from White Oak Swamp proved decisive in repulsing Confederate attacks. The fighting ended at dark, with casualties numbering some 3,700 Confederates and nearly 3,800 Federals.

During the night McClellan withdrew his forces to Malvern Hill. Disappointed that the Union army had escaped, Lee decided to hit McClellan one more time, on July 1, 1862.

In a series of uncoordinated assaults, typical of the Confederate efforts that entire week, John B. Magruder's, D.H. Hill's and Huger's divisions vainly attacked the massed Federal artillery and infantry positions on Malvern Hill. By the end of the day some 5,700 Confederate soldiers lay dead and wounded on the slopes, and General D.H. Hill was moved to say that, "It was not war, it was murder." Federal casualties numbered about 3,000.

That evening, McClellan continued his retreat to Harrison's Landing, where the army remained until mid-August 162, when it withdrew back down the Peninsula and returned to northern Virginia.

The Property: The Glendale property was the position of General Joseph B. Hooker's Federals during the battle. This area, called the "Slash," was heavily timbered this century and little resembles its 1862 appearance. Some fighting occurred here, although most took place further to the west and north.

The Malvern Hill parcels include the site of the Parsonage ruins, areas where Confederate units formed up for the attack, and the actual assault routes. Malvern Hill also has site interpretation and pull offs.

Instructions: Parking is available at the Glendale site, the Parsonage ruins, and an old dirt road at the lower reaches of Malvern Hill. Written permission is not required, but visitors should not disturb the farming operations at the sites.

Relic hunting is prohibited. The use of motor vehicles off of the parking area is prohibited. For further orientation to the Civil War history of the area, contact the Richmond National Battlefield Park, 3215 E. Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23223; (804) 771-2808.

Directions: Follow the Richmond National Battlefield Park tour route, or take Route 60 east from Richmond. Two miles beyond the exit for Interstate 66, take a right onto Route 156, and follow the Park signs to Glendale. Just before reaching the Glendale National Cemetery (on the left), turn right into Western Run Road. Drive to the end of that road and park in the cul-de-sac. The CWPT Glendale property starts there. To get another view of the Glendale property, turn around, and take an immediate right onto Chelsey Road. Again, park at the end of this road, and walk out into the fields just beyond.

To reach the Malvern Hill parcels, return to Route 156, turn right and drive 1 1/2 miles to the Parsonage ruins. Watch for the United Daughters of the Confederacy monument on the right, and pull into the ruins just before this monument.

From the ruins, take a right out onto Route 156, and take another right onto Carter's Mill Road, just a few hundred yards past the ruins. Drive about 1/8 miles until you see the clear field and dirt road to the left. Park there and proceed to the lower reaches of Malvern Hill. From this position, you will be able to view the Federal positions on Malvern Hill in the distance.

From there, again return to Route 156, turn right, and follow the signs to the Malvern Hill unit of the Battlefield Park.

Click here to get a map or driving directions. Western Run Road in Glendale, Virginia is your general destination.

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