Near Mechanicsville in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Mistaken Identity

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 23, 2009

1. Mistaken Identity Marker

Inscription.
“It was now sun down and the air was dense with smoke, so that we were realty not certain whether the column before us were friends or enemies….Their banner was furled, and we could not get any clue from that….Just at this time Colonel Jenkins, in stentorian tones called out ‘show your flag or I’ll fire upon you!’ but that flag was not unfurled and the command was given ‘ready, aim, fire.’”
Letter to newspaper from a member of the 5th South Carolina Infantry

“We were not quite certain that they were our enemy until their commander, who was in front and on foot, commanded us to surrender. Maj. Welch replied, ‘D---d if we do;’ when they immediately opened on us a withering volley….”
T. R. Lackie
16th Michigan Infantry

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 37° 34.29′ N, 77° 17.706′ W. Marker is near Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. It can be reached from Watt House Road 0.7 miles south of Cold Harbor Road (Virginia Route 156), on the right when traveling south. This marker is located on the walking trail along Boatswain Creek in the Gaines' Mill Battlefield unit of the Richmond

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National Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mechanicsville VA 23111, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Balloons Over the Battlefield (here, next to this marker); Watt Farm Road (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Union Rifle Pits (about 500 feet away); Wilcox’s Alabama Brigade, (about 600 feet away); Intensity of Battle (about 600 feet away); Wilcox’s Brigade, CSA (about 600 feet away); Morell’s Division, USA (about 700 feet away); Pickett’s Brigade, CSA (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Battle Ends (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Cavalry Charge (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. The Battle of Gaines' Mill. National Park service Richmond National Battlefield Park, Virginia website entry (Submitted on June 28, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Gaines’ Mill Confederate Attack Trail. National Park Service PDF (Submitted on July 4, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 23, 2009

2. Mistaken Identity Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,442 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 23, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.