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THE BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL.

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THE WEST HOUSE, LOOKING TOWARD TIIE CREW HOUSE. FROM A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN EARLY IN 1885.

Tliis house was the dividing point between Couch ’s division aud fttorell's line, the artillery fronting thefence and being nearly on the line indicated by it. The West house was occupiedas headquarters by General Couch.—E ditors.

The corps of Heintzelman and Sumner had arrived during the night andtaken position in the order named to the right and rear of Couch ’s division,protecting that flank effectively toward Western Run. ji They did not expectto be seriously engaged, but were ready to resist attack and to give assistanceto the center and left, if circumstances should require it. At an early hour inthe day Sumner kindly sent me Caldwell’s brigade, as he thought I mightneed help. This brigade I placed near Butterfield, who was directed to sendit forward wherever it should be needed or called for. He sent it to Couch at an opportune moment early in the day.

General McClellan , accompanied by his staff, visited our lines at an earlyhour, and approved my measures and those of General Couch , or changedthem where it was deemed advisable. Though he left me in charge of thatpart of the field occupied by Couch , I at no time undertook to control thatgeneral, or even indicated a desire to do so, but with full confidence in hisability, which was justified by the result of his action, left him free to act inaccordance with his own judgment. I cooperated with him fully, however,having Morell’s batteries, under Weeden, posted so as to protect his front,and sending him help when I saw he needed it. The division of Couch , though

J) Franklin’s corps, and French ’s brigade of Sumner’s corps, arrived at Malvern Hill on the morning ofJuly 1st. During the day Franklin’s columns were inline of battle on the right of Sumner. —Editors.