 Throughout the Seven Days Battles , Lee 's forces had been separated and scattered due to swamps , narrow roads and other geographic obstacles , and occasionally due to unclear orders . As the days of marching and fighting wore on the number of stragglers swelled to fill narrow roads and significantly deplete the Confederate ranks , presenting a significant additional strain on their combat readiness . These hindrances continued during the Battle of Malvern Hill , with both Magruder and Huger making mistakes in the deployment of their forces . 
