Personal reminiscences of James A. Scrymser, in times of peace and war

1 July 1862

Battle of Malvern Hill

MAJOR-GENERAL FRANCIS C. BARLOW

In my Civil War career I served in the Battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Mechanicsville, Seven Pines, Gaines Mill, Gamett's Farm, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Cold Harbor, Balls Bluff, Petersburg, and many skirmishes.

MAJOR-GENERAL FRANCIS C. BARLOW

marching it to the banks of the James River by way of White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill. General "Baldy" Smith, of Franklin's left grand division, formed the rear guard. Immediately in front of General Smith's command, which occupied the ex- treme right, were the Confederate troops that General Lee had left on the south side of the Chickahominy — about 10,000 men. The Confederates were in a line on what was then known as Dr. Gar- nett's farm. On the Union side there was a line of trenches a quarter of a mile, or more, in length. These trenches faced west. On the Confederate side there was a redoubt in an open field and several lines of intrenchments.

MAJOR-GENERAL FRANCIS C. BARLOW

THE day following the Battle of White Oak Swamp, the Army of the Potomac fought the Battle of Malvern Hill.

MAJOR-GENERAL FRANCIS C. BARLOW

History now tells us that the enemy were retreating from Mal- vern Hill in the direction of Richmond, while the Army of the Potomac was retreating at the same time in the direction of West- over. It has been claimed and justly, I think, that if McClellan had followed up his victory at Malvern Hill, he could have entered Richmond without much difficulty.