In the James River, two miles distant, lay a fleet of five gunboats, carrying heavy guns,--near enough to throw shells upon the Strawberry Plains. The Rebels advanced cautiously. Jackson, Ewell, Whiting, and D. H. Hill moved down the Quaker road, while Magruder, Longstreet, Huger, and Holmes came down the Richmond road. Jackson, D. H. Hill, and Ewell appeared in front of Couch; Huger and Magruder, in front of Morell's division of Porter's corps; while Holmes filed through the woods towards the James, along the western edge of Strawberry Plains. Although the distance from Glendale is but two and a half miles, it was past ten o'clock before the head of Magruder's columns appeared in sight. A. P. Hill's division, which had been so terribly shattered at Glendale, was left behind. Magruder shelled the woods and advanced cautiously. There was a pattering skirmish fire through the forenoon, with an artillery duel at long range. Noon passed, and there was no apparent disposition on the part of the Rebels to make an attack. They dreaded the terrible fire from the numerous guns gleaming in the sun upon the hillside. [Illustration: BATTLE OF MALVERN. 1 Warren's Brig., Sykes's Div. 2 Buchanan's " " " 8 Chapman's " " " 4 Griffin's " Morell's " 5 Martindale's " " " 6 Butterfield's " " " 7 Couch's Division. 8 Sumner's and Heintzelman's Corps. 9 McCall's Division. 10 Abatis. A Jackson, D. H. Hill, and Ewell. B Longstreet. C Magruder and Huger. D A. P. Hill. E Holmes.] General Magruder brought all of the cannon into position which could be advantageously posted, and at two o'clock opened a rapid fire, which was replied to by the batteries on the hill. He threw forward his skirmishers at an earlier hour. Jackson moved forward a division upon Couch an hour later, but it was hurled back in confusion by the fire of the batteries, and the deadly volley delivered from the rifle-pits. Holmes, all the while, had been edging towards the river, to gain the rear of McClellan, but the enormous shells from the gunboats, which tore down the forests, paralyzed his soldiers. There was a consultation among the Rebel commanders. Lee had intrusted the command in his center to Magruder. His brigadier-generals did not want to advance over the plain. "I am unwilling to slaughter my brigade," said General Cobb, "but, if you command me, I shall make the charge if my last man falls." "I intend to make the charge, no matter what it costs," said Magruder. The commanders went to their brigades, murmuring that Magruder was drunk, that it would be madness to make the attack.[45] [Footnote 45: Pollard, Southern Hist.] Magruder formed his line in the woods. Armistead's brigade moved upon the Union picket line and drove it back. "Advance rapidly, press forward your whole line, and follow up Armistead's successes. They are reported to be getting off," was Lee's message to Magruder.