 Lee chose the relatively well @-@ rested commands of D. H. Hill , Stonewall Jackson and John Magruder to lead the Confederate offensive , as they had barely participated in the fighting of the day before . Meanwhile , James Longstreet 's First Corps and A. P. Hill 's Light Division , who had fought the majority of the previous day 's hostilities , would be held in reserve . According to Lee 's plan , the Army of Northern Virginia would form a semi @-@ circle enveloping Malvern Hill . D. H. Hill 's five brigades would be placed along the northern face of the hill , forming the center of the Confederate line , and the commands of Stonewall Jackson and John Magruder would take the left and right flanks , respectively . Whiting 's forces would position themselves on the Poindexter farm , with the outfits of Brig. Gen. Charles Sidney Winder and Richard Ewell nearby . The infantry of these three detachments would provide reinforcement for the Confederate line if necessary . Maj. Gen. Theophilus Holmes would take up a position on the extreme Confederate right flank . 
