 Lee surveyed the left flank himself for possible artillery positions . After a reconnoitering expedition on the right flank , James Longstreet returned to Lee ; the two compared their results and concluded that two grand battery @-@ like positions would be established at the left and right sides of Malvern Hill . The converging artillery fire from the batteries , they reasoned , could weaken the Union line so that a Confederate infantry attack could break through . If this plan did not work out , Lee and Longstreet felt the artillery fire would buy them time to consider other plans . 
