noon
It was believed by their generals that the Union army was utterly demoralized ; that it was retreating in disorder towards the James River ; and that a vigorous onslaught would result in its capture . The first intimation of the blunder was received at Savage 's Station , where the Confederates were decisively repulsed ; yet the hope was not abandoned of ending the war by the destruction of the Army of the Potomac . The hosts of the rebellion were poured down the roads , where they could intercept the loyal forces ; and the full extent of their blunder was realized only at Malvern Hills . At noon our regiment marched through White Oak Swamp , and late in the evening bivouacked in a field near the road . During all this time the road was filled with troops , and with trains of army wagons on their way to the new `` base . '' Very early the next morning , the march was resumed . It was an exceedingly hot day , and the troops suffered severely from the heat .