National Park Service Programs to Commemorate the Battle of Malvern Hill

Date: July 7, 2009
Contact: Mike Andrus, 804 226-1981 x. 30

On Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, 2009, Richmond National Battlefield Park will present a living history encampment on the Malvern Hill battlefield, located at 9175 Willis Church Road. Program hours are Saturday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm, and on Sunday from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. All events are free.

Program Highlights:
Volunteers portraying Berdan’s Sharpshooters will perform skirmish drills and rifle-firing demonstrations comparing the Sharps breech-loading rifle to the typical muzzle-loading rifle of the time period. They will also talk about how the Sharpshooters were recruited, and their importance in the battle of Malvern Hill as skirmishers to harass the Confederate infantry and silence their artillery. In addition, volunteers representing Battery A of the 2nd U.S. Artillery will perform cannon-firing demonstrations. The 2nd U.S. Artillery defended a section of the main Union line in the July 1, 1862 fight. Demonstrations begin at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm on Saturday and 11:00 am and 1:00 pm on Sunday. Park historians will present guided walking tours of the Malvern Hill battlefield following each program. Activity booklets will be available for children wishing to participate in the park’s Junior Ranger program.

Malvern Hill is one of 13 Civil War sites protected by Richmond National Battlefield Park around the city of Richmond, Virginia. The site is located 14 miles east of Richmond, one mile north of Route 5 on Route 156 in Henrico County. All programs are free. For further information, visit the National Park Service headquarters at Chimborazo Park or call 226-1981, x.23.