Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-21

Crews Hill. about one mile farther
north.
4
The forces which on this occasion came
under my control. and were engaged in
or held ready to enter the contest, were
my own corps. consisting Of Morelis.
Sykes and McCalrs divisions, Col. II. ].
Hunts Artillery Reserve Of 100 pieces,
including Col r. o. Tyler's Connecticut
Siege Artillery. COUGHS division Of Keyes'
corps. the brigades Of John c. Caldwell
and Thomas F. Meagher Of Summers
corps and the brigade of D. E. Sickles Of
Heintzelman's corps. Though Couch was
placed under my command. he was LETT
uncontrolled by me. The other brigades
were sent to me by Their respective divi-
sion commanders in anticipation Of my
needs or at my request.
This new position. with its elements Of
great strength, was better adapted for
defensive battle than any with which we
had been favored. 1t was elevated and
was more or less protected on each flank
by small streams or by swamps, while
the woods in front through which the
enemy had to pass to attack us were in
places marshy. and the timber so thick
that artillery could not be brought up.
and even troops were moved in it with
difficulty.
Slightly in rear Of our line Of battle on
Crews Hill the reserve artillery and in
fantry were held for immediate service.
The hill concealed them from the view
of the enemy and sheltered them to
some extent from his fire. These hills,
both to the east and west. were connect
ed with the adjacent valleys by gradu-
ally sloping plains. except at the Crew
house. where for little distance the
slope was quite abrupt. and was easily
protected by a small force.
With the exception Of the River road,
all the roads from Richmond, along which
the enemy would be obliged to approach,
meet In front OF Crews Hill, THIS hill
was thanked with ravines, enfiladed by our
fire The ground in front was sloping.
and over II our artillery and infantry.
themselves protected by the crest and
ridges. had clear sweep for their IRE. In
all directions, for several hundred yards,
the land over which an attacking force
must advance was almost entirely clear
ed OF forest and was generally culti-
waited.
| reached Malvern hill some two hours
before my command Monday. June 80;
was assigned to a position covering the
approaches from Richmond. On the west
side of Malvern hill were some thirty-six
guns, some of long range. having full
sweep up the valley and over the cleared
lands north OF the River road. leading
to Richmond. To these. later in the day.
were added the siege guns of the LIST Con-
necticut Artillery. which were placed on
elevated ground Immediately to the left
of the Malvern house, SO as to fire over
our front line at any attacking force. and
to sweep the low meadow on the left To
Gen. (then colonel Hunt the accomplish
ed and energetic chief Of artillery. were
due the excellent posting Of these bat
teries June 30 and the rearrangement OF
all the artillery along the whole line
Tuesday July u, together with the man
agement Of the reserve artillery on that
day.
Our forces lay on their arms during the
night OF the Goth. patiently awaiting the
attack expected on the following day
Early the next morning our lines were
reformed and slightly advanced to take
full advantage OF the formation Of the
ground. the artillery of the front line be-
ing reposted in commanding positions and
placed under Gen. Grifin's command, but
under Capt. Weeden's care. just behind
the crest of the hill. The infantry was
arranged between the artillery to protect
and be protected by its neighbors and
prepared to be thrown forward. If at any
time advisable. so as not to interfere
with the artillery fire.
The corps of He.ntzelman and Sumner
had arrived during the night and taken
and rear OF COUGHS division. protecting
expect to be seriously engaged. but were
ready to resist attack and to give as
sistance to the center and left. II clr-