 Malvern Hill , a plateau @-@ like elevation in Henrico County , Virginia , provided an impressive natural military position about two miles ( 3 @.@ 2 km ) north of the James River . The hill rose some 130 feet ( 40 m ) to its crest to form a crescent about 1 @.@ 5 miles ( 2 @.@ 4 km ) in length and 0 @.@ 75 miles ( 1 @.@ 21 km ) wide . Its slope was about one mile ( 1 @.@ 6 km ) in length and very gradual , with only one or two notable depressions . Along the western side of the hill ran Malvern Cliffs , a bluff @-@ like formation that overlooked Turkey Run , a tributary of nearby Turkey Island Creek . Western Run was another tributary of Turkey Island Creek , which lay mostly along the eastern side of the hill and slanted slightly into the northern side . One depression dipped some sixty feet ( 18 m ) at the valley of Western Run and slanted upwards to the plateau . Malvern Hill 's center was slightly lower than the flanks . The gentle , bare slant meant that any assailing army could not easily take cover , and artillery would have the benefit of a clear , open field . 
