July 1, 1862

• The final battle of the Seven Days' Battle occurred at Malvern Hill, about one mile from the James River. The hill on which the Army of the Potomac's main line was on had an open gentle slope.

• Lee only wanted to attack the Northern fortifications on Malvern Hill if his artillery could bombard the Federal guns there and weaken them. However, Lee's orders were vague and not communicated properly to his generals. Consequently, Confederate units advanced up the hill even though Southern cannon had not effectively disrupted the Union defenses.

• The exposed confederate columns advanced over the open field and were fired upon by a large number of Union cannons and infantry. The Federals cut down waves of Confederate soldiers and the Southern army suffered heavy losses. As night began to fall the Confederate attack was canceled and General D. H. Hill remarked "it was not war, it was murder."

• Despite the high number of casualties inflicted on the Army of Northern Virginia at the Battle of Malvern Hill, General McClellan ordered his Union army to withdraw during the night to a base down the James River located at Harrison's Landing and General Lee was hailed as saving the Confederate capital of Richmond.

• "Soldiers, your country will thank you for the heroic conduct you have displayed - conducted worthy of men engaged in a cause so just and sacred, and deserving a nation's gratitude and praise" (General Lee).