Richmond in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The First Marine Medal of Honor
Drewry’s Bluff
— Richmond National Battlefield Park, NPS —
When an artillery shell passed through Galena’s side, killing and disabling most [of] the crew serving a 100-pounder Parrott Rifle, Corporal John Freeman Mackie rallied his fellow Marines, shouting “Come on boys, here’s a chance for the Marines.” Mackie then led cleanup efforts under fire, removing dead and injured sailors from the deck and sweeping away the iron and wood fragments that hindered the functioning of the Parrott. With the survivors of the Marine Guard, Mackie then operated the cannon until Galena withdrew from the battle.
For his display of courage, Corporal Mackie became the first U.S. Marine to receive the Medal of Honor. The painting, Corporal John Mackie, United States Marine Corps. by Col. Charles Waterhouse, USMCR, depicts Mackie at the ports of Galena, firing on the Confederate rifle pits.
Erected by Richmond National Battlefield Park, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 15, 1862.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 37° 25.353′ N, 77° 25.362′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. Marker can be reached from Fort Darling Road, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located in the Drewry’s Bluff/Fort Darling unit of Richmond National Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond VA 23237, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. "A Very Neat Chapel" (within shouting distance of this marker); A Permanent Post (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Darling (within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Shot and Wooden Ships (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The USS Monitor (about 300 feet away); Drewry’s Bluff (about 300 feet away); A Perfect Gibraltar (about 300 feet away); Duty Above and Beyond (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
More about this marker. The right of the marker features the painting of Cpl. Mackie mentioned on the marker. The lower left of the marker contains a photograph of Mackie, with the caption “John F. Mackie in the uniform of a naval veterans organization. Born in New York City in 1836, Mackie enlisted in the Marine Corps at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1861. He died in Philadelphia in 1910. His Medal of Honor is displayed second from the left in his row of medals.”
Regarding The First Marine Medal of Honor. This marker was replaced by a new one named Duty Above and Beyond (see nearby markers).
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Drewry’s Bluff, 15 May 1862. American Civil War website. (Submitted on December 31, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Richmond National Battlefield Park. National Park Service website. (Submitted on December 31, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 3,389 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 31, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on September 20, 2010, by Greg Lavallee of Hopewell, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on December 31, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5. submitted on September 20, 2010, by Greg Lavallee of Hopewell, Virginia.