Glendale & Malvern Hill - June 1862

The following provides a summary of our final battle of a series that explores the major battles of the 1862 Peninsula Campaign where Union forces under General McClellan advanced to the very gates of Richmond only to be driven back. Like those played previously this battle was fought within a few weeks of the 160th anniversary. The scenario we used is that in the Volley & Bayonet scenario book “A Storm in the Valley - 1862” by Jessee Scarborough, with some minor modifications. 

Our miniature battlefield stretches from White Oak Swamp in the north down through Glendale until finally reaching Malvern Hill and the James River in the south, some eight miles. The table required, at the normal scale of the rules, is 12’ x 6’. However as we used a reduced ground scale, where 1” represents 200 yards, our table measures 6’ x 3’. Something over 2,000 6mm miniatures were eventually deployed. 

Lee’s aim is to split the Union forces by capturing the key road junction at Glendale, therefore isolating a portion of the retreating Union army so it could be defeated in detail. Lee will be hamstrung in these endeavours by march delays as various divisions struggle to converge. Union command is equally challenged. While arguably concentrated Union forces are largely inactive, requiring activation before the various divisions can react to the growing threat. Both Rebel arrival and Union activation will be randomised by card draw. Our refight begins around 1pm on July 30th 1862.

It was soon after 1pm that General Longstreet pulled his horse to the side of the road before gathering his staff around him. The dust was thick and the weather hot. As he steadied his horse long lnes of butternut and grey ranks moved pass, several in the ranks chewing on apples, which had been liberated on the march across the peninsula. Having approached Glendale via the Long Bridge Road the division had just diverted along a southern fork in the road that would eventually rise on to the plateau that is known as Malvern Hill. But Malvern Hill was not Longstreet's focus. In the following hours Longstreet's brigades would deploy in the area northwest of the Parsonage much of it thickly wooded. Behind Longstreet’s division comes the brigades of A.P Hill’s division. Another large division, comprising a further six brigades. Hill was delayed by Longstreet’s snaking columns by over an hour. But unlike Old Pete, Hill pushed on towards Glendale by the more direct route via Long Bridge Road. Delays persisted and several hours passed as both divisions deployed and moved forward. Opposite, were the Union divisions of Kearny, McCall and Hooker, with Sedgwick in reserve around Glendale. Elsewhere other Rebel forces were arriving piecemeal. 

General Huger had been slowly advancing along Charles City Road. While first on the field the advance of his division was snail like. Indeed, it was almost 2pm before his brigades crossed Deep Run. In front, behind a small creek that discharged into White Oak Swamp, was Slocum’s Union division. Aware of the enemy to his front Huger became even more cautious. 

Below, Huger is finally across Deep Run while ahead, and on the left, is Slocum's division.

From the north four Rebel divisions would eventually converge on Union positions around White Oak Swamp. However, on the 30th of June only the divisions of Generals Ewell and Whiting would arrive. Despite the arrival of these forces none would engage the Union divisions of Richardson and W.F Smith deployed some 500 yards south of the meandering swamp, masquerading as a creek. 

Above, the scene around White Oak Swamp. The first ford is that around White Oak Swamp Bridge, though the bridge was burnt down hours earlier. In the distance is Brackett's Ford. The Union divisions are from nearest to distant Smith's, Richardson's and Slocum's with Kearny's just visible in the top left.

Below, viewed from the Rebel lines Whiting's Division on the left and a portion of Ewell's on the right.

Everywhere Union forces were seized with paralysis. As the threat of Rebel attack grew not one Union commander readied his forces for the coming attack. McClellan was by now aboard the gunboat Galena steaming. Porter was comfortably deployed on Malvern Hill, while Franklin, Heintzelman, Sumner and Keyes all remained inactive. 

Lee also seemed in no rush, accepting of the delays inherent with the troops deployment. Finally satisfied, and with the afternoon escaping, General Lee ordered an attack. 

Around 6pm the Rebel brigades of Longstreet and A.P. Hill advanced, with Lee in the centre. Their initial target was Hooker’s division which aligned generally with Quaker Road and which stretched from the Parsonage to Willis Church. The Rebels, having used the thick forest to cover their advance achieved total surprise. Longstreet's attack drove north and east, while A.P Hill extended the centre to the left. Daniel Sickles’ brigade, positioned on the Union left, faced the worst of the attack. 

Below, Hooker's line can be seen running along Quaker Road as Rebels advance on their left and front. The stream crossing Quaker Road is Western Run.

Despite being outnumbered Sickles' brigade fought with determination fighting a rear-guard action which allowed Hooker’s other brigades to retire north and form a line along Western Run. 

Below, Hooker begins to form a hasty line along Western Run, while Sickles launches a counterattack.

As Sickles' brigade was overcome the Rebel attack extended north. In so doing it drew in Sedgwick’s division, which was formed up behind other brigades. Soon Sedgwick's brigades moved south and formed to face attacks from east and south with the remaining brigades of Hooker’s Division extending Sedgewick’s line east. Pressure soon mounted with Burn’s brigade suffering heavy casualties.

Above and below the situation in the Union centre. Lee has now split the Union army in two but must now drive on the Glendale crossroads. 

While gains had been made Lee, fearful of casualties, now failed to press his advantage. By 8pm the Rebel attack slowed and the lines increasingly exchanged musket fire - rather than pressing their attacks with the bayonet. Miraculously the divisions of Hooker and Sedgwick remained combat effective as dusk threatened to end the fighting of the 30th of June. Longstreet, in last light, realigned. Half his division faced south towards Malvern Hill, in case of a counterattack, while the remaining three brigades orientated north in the woods east of Quaker Road set to advance the following day. A.P Hill’s division remained west of Quaker Road. 

Elsewhere, General Keyes who commanded the Union IV Corps, finally determined to take action. Around 8.30pm the divisions of Couch and Peck, deployed east of Malvern Hill for the entire day, and in the safest part of the battlefield, advanced. Some 13,000 troops made up these two divisions which moved on to Malvern Hill to reinforce Porter. In all 23,000 troops were now on Malvern Hill. While night bought fighting to a halt, Union troops on Malvern Hill were kept active building hasty works.

Below, the situation around Malvern Hill. Keyes IV Corps is visible in the foreground while two divisions of Porter's V Corps are deployed, along with reserve artillery, on Malvern Hill. In the distance a portion of the James River is visible complete with Union gunboats.

The action on July 1st would start early and would see the final arrival of several Confederate divisions. 

In the north, near White Oak Swamp, long clouds of dust announced the arrival of two further divisions. These were the divisions of Jackson and Whiting, some six brigades. Combined with those already on the field 25,000 Rebels would soon be north of White Oak Swamp intent on finally getting across. Elsewhere, General Holmes approached Malvern Hill via River Road while the divisions of Magruder, McLaws and Jones entered by Long Bridge Road to reinforce the Rebel here. This would mean the Confederate centre and right, when Huger was included would comprise some 45,000 men. In all Lee would soon have on hand some 70,000 men to oppose the 65,000 Union troops on the field. 

The fighting began in the north when, at 7am, when Jackson began to probe the Union positions around White Oak Swamp. D.H. Hill and Whiting would demonstrate around the charred embers of White Oak Swamp Bridge while Ewell repositioned his division towards Brackett’s Ford. Here a crossing began, first by Ewell’s brigades and later by Jackson’s brigades. Simultaneously, General Huger moved forward to pin Slocum’s Union division and thus assist Ewell. Soon the Union divisions of Slocum, Richardson and W.F. Smith were all heavily engaged by the Rebels, in complete contrast to the previous day. 

Above and below, the fighting begins along White Oak Swamp. The brigades with yellow marker's are the "Stonewall Brigade" and Jone's brigade. Both have crossed White Oak Swamp east of Brackett's Ford. 

As the fighting intensified the brigades of Elsey and Trimble, bith from Ewell's division, suffered heavy casualties. This was soon followed by reports that Whiting’s division, itself tangled in a fierce firefight, was taking heavy losses, Law’s brigade in particular was decimated. 

By 10am Huger was also reporting heavy casualties as he advanced along the Charles City Road, all as far as he could tell, for no tangible gain. 

Above and below the battle along the Charles City Road primarily between Slocum's Union division and Huger's division.

Yet the truth was far from that. The Union divisions deployed along White Oak Swamp were now suffering unsustainable casualties themselves. Richardson’s Division was exhausted by 9am, despite only two hours of fighting, while Slocum’s Division, opposing Huger’s nervous advance, was teetering on the brink of collapse. The perilous Union situation was however not clear to either Jackson or Lee.

While the battle was raging on the northern sector we must also return to the centre. 

Yesterday this was of course the focus of the fighting as Longstreet and A.P. Hill pressed forward. For Union commanders on the ground further attacks occupied their thinking overnight. 

At dawn McCall’s Union division sat generally astride the Long Bridge Road, but the division had been weakened by previous action at Gaines’ Mill and McCall was nervous it would not hold if pressed. As a result McCall and Sedgewick, devoid of senior commanders, had conferred over the situation. At first light both McCall and Sedgwick ordered a move east forming a new line on the east side of Quaker Road, near Nelson farmstead. The farm of R. H. Nelson, often known as Frayser's farm, sat on a large area of open land which General McCall described as "a beautiful battleground, but too large for my force to find protection on both flanks'.

McCall’s troops would form first, with the division having its left withdrawn slightly. Sedgewick would then form, at 90 degrees, forming a hinge with his line running generally west to east in the wooded thickets opposite Longstreet's forward brigades. On the extreme Union left Hooker’s Division, having recovered from the previous day, would further extended the line and act as a reserve.

In addition General Keyes would move the five brigades of IV Corps from Malvern Hill north to reinforce the Union centre and threaten Longstreet. This would leave only two divisions of Porter’s corps on Malvern Hill, but reinforced by reserve artillery the position remained strong. Soon after 7.30am Keyes' initial brigades began to cross Western Run, moving north. 

Above and below, Keyes moves north crossing portions of Western Run. In the distance various Confederate brigades are deployed opposite Malvern Hill.

Opposite, the Confederate position was being reinforced. Longstreet's and A.P Hill’s had 12 brigades on the field at dawn. They could be reinforced by three further divisions. Combined there were some 18 brigades, even without Holmes' division deployed near Malvern Hill. However, Lee reinforced his centre with only two divisions transferring the third to the Malvern Hill area where it could play no part. Lee’s decision would weaken his ability to reinforce his centre. 

Cognisant of Keyes eventual arrival Lee determined to press McCall immediately. Around 8am A.P. Hill’s troops advanced with the main attack falling around 9am. Hill had intended to support the attack with several of his brigades but valuable time was absorbed clearing a portion of Western Run. Eventually only two brigades struck the Union line. Specifically those of Gregg and Anderson.

Above the situation in the centre. Longstreet has pressed forward east of Quaker Road while in the top A.P Hill's brigades advance. Below, the attack of a portion of A.P. Hill's division.

Maxcy Gregg's brigade, consisting of South Carolina regiments, charged home against Meade's Union brigade. Meade's Pennsylvanians displayed great  determination tand Gregg's Carolinians were thrown back. Simultaneously, Anderson's brigade, comprised mostly of regiments from Georgia pressed their attack against 12 rifled pieces from V Corps artillery reserve, supported several nearby Napoleons. Like Gregg's attack Anderson's brigade was thrown back.

With these assaults blunted Hooker and Sedgewick moved to threaten the brigades of Longstreet’s division deployed in the thickets east of Quaker Road. Outnumbered these Rebel brigades had little choice but to retire.

Above and below, the general situation around 9am.

By 10am, with news flooded in to Lee. There were mounting casualties around White Oak Swamp, A.P Hill’s attack had stalled and Longstreet's exposed position was of concern. Lee, clearly demoralised, determined that his opportunity to destroy the Union army had failed. Rather than order further attacks Lee ordered Confederate forces to disengage. Glendale, in Lee's mind at least, was a lost opportunity.

This battle completed a series to mark the 160th anniversaries of the major battles on the Virginia Peninsula between May and early July 1862. As such we have refought Seven Pines, Gaines' Mill and Glendale, the first two twice. In some ways it has been something of a campaign and for me a rewarding exercise.

The miniatures here are all from the Heroics & Ros 6mm range and are from my collection. Each infantry base, of which there are 72, represents a brigade of variable strength, though typically from 1,500 to 2,500 men each. Artillery stands represent generally 12 guns, though all brigades have attached batteries. Terrain is a mix of commercial and homemade items.