Alexander Slidell Mackenzie
Encyclopedia
Alexander Slidell Mackenzie (1803–1849) Born in New York City, Mackenzie was a U.S. Navy officer who served during the first half of the 19th century. He was an accomplished author and writer who wrote several contemporary essays and biographies of notable US naval figures of the early 19th century. He was the brother of U.S. Senator John Slidell
, who was later involved in the American Civil War's "Trent Affair
."
, who, after a successful Civil War career, commanded the 4th Cavalry Regiment (United States)http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/1-4cav.htm, securing the line of settlement in Texas and throughout the West. Ranald Mackenzie was arguably the best Indian fighter of the American West. Another son was Lt. Commander Alexander Slidell MacKenzie
.
A sister married Commodore Matthew C. Perry, the brother of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry.
and a personal friend of Washington Irving
, he published a number of books, including A Year in Spain, Life of John Paul Jones, Life of Commodore Stephen Decatur and Life of Commodore O.H. Perry. Commodore Perry was the brother of Matthew Perry, MacKenzie's brother-in-law.
MacKenzie was appointed midshipman September 29, 1855. Serving in on the China Station
at the outbreak of the Civil War, he returned to the United States and joined Kineo
, in which he served during Farragut
's daring dash past Forts Jackson and St. Philip
on the lower Mississippi
to capture New Orleans
in 1862.
Somers was launched by the New York Navy Yard on April 16, 1842, and was commissioned on 12 May 1842, with Mackenzie in command. After completing a shakedown cruise Puerto Rico and back, the new brig sailed out of New York harbor on September 13, 1842 with orders to head for the Atlantic coast of Africa with dispatches for frigate Vandalia. Somers was also acting as an experimental schoolship for naval apprentices on this voyage.
While in command of the USS Somers
in 1842, en route to the United States from the West African coast, Commander Mackenzie oversaw the arrest, trial, and execution of three American sailors who had supposedly plotted to take control of the ship. The ring leader, Philip Spencer
, was the son of Secretary of War John Canfield Spencer
. Although Mackenzie was completely exonerated at a trial and at a subsequent court martial, the controversial incident (known as the "Somers Affair") colored the remainder of his life. It was customary during the time of Captain Mackenzie to commend officers cleared at a court-martial, but Mackenzie's court-martial made very clear it was not commending him.
After looking for Vandalia at Madeira, Tenerife, and Porto Praia, Somers arrived at Monrovia, Liberia, on November 10 only to discover that the frigate had already sailed for home. The next day, Mackenzie set sail for the Virgin Islands hoping to meet up with Vandalia at St. Thomas before the return journey back to New York. On the passage to the West Indies, the some of the officers noticed a steady worsening of morale among the crew. On the 26th, Mackenzie arrested Midshipman Philip Spencer, the son of Secretary of War Spencer, for inciting mutiny.
and a personal friend of Washington Irving
. His first work was A Year in Spain, by a Young American, 1829; which immediately became popular in America as well as in England. " Other works by MacKenzie include Popular Essays on Naval Subjects, 1833; The American in England, 1835; Spain Revisited, 1836; Life of John Paul Jones, 1841; Life of Commodore Oliver H. Perry, 1841; and Life of Commodore Stephen Decatur 1846. He also wrote a manuscript A Journal of a Tour in Ireland, The Case of the 'Seiners; Defence of A. S. Mackenzie", 1843.
John Slidell
John Slidell was an American politician, lawyer and businessman. A native of New York, Slidell moved to Louisiana as a young man and became a staunch defender of southern rights as a U.S. Representative and Senator...
, who was later involved in the American Civil War's "Trent Affair
Trent affair
The Trent Affair, also known as the Mason and Slidell Affair, was an international diplomatic incident that occurred during the American Civil War...
."
Family
Mackenzie was the father of General Ranald Slidell MackenzieRanald S. Mackenzie
Ranald Slidell Mackenzie was a career United States Army officer and general in the Union Army during the American Civil War, described by General Ulysses S. Grant as its most promising young officer...
, who, after a successful Civil War career, commanded the 4th Cavalry Regiment (United States)http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/1-4cav.htm, securing the line of settlement in Texas and throughout the West. Ranald Mackenzie was arguably the best Indian fighter of the American West. Another son was Lt. Commander Alexander Slidell MacKenzie
Alexander Slidell MacKenzie (Civil War)
Alexander Slidell MacKenzie was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.-Early life:...
.
A sister married Commodore Matthew C. Perry, the brother of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry.
Military service
Mackenzie entered the U.S. Navy as a midshipman in 1815. In honor of a maternal uncle, he assumed the surname Mackenzie in 1837. A contemporary of Henry Wadsworth LongfellowHenry Wadsworth Longfellow
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an American poet and educator whose works include "Paul Revere's Ride", The Song of Hiawatha, and Evangeline...
and a personal friend of Washington Irving
Washington Irving
Washington Irving was an American author, essayist, biographer and historian of the early 19th century. He was best known for his short stories "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle", both of which appear in his book The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. His historical works...
, he published a number of books, including A Year in Spain, Life of John Paul Jones, Life of Commodore Stephen Decatur and Life of Commodore O.H. Perry. Commodore Perry was the brother of Matthew Perry, MacKenzie's brother-in-law.
MacKenzie was appointed midshipman September 29, 1855. Serving in on the China Station
China Station
The China Station was a historical formation of the British Royal Navy. It was formally the units and establishments responsible to the Commander-in-Chief, China....
at the outbreak of the Civil War, he returned to the United States and joined Kineo
USS Kineo (1861)
USS Kineo was a built for the United States Navy during the American Civil War.-Service during the US Civil War:The first Kineo in the service of the Navy, she was launched on 9 October 1861 at Portland, Maine, by J. W. Dyer; sponsored by Miss Eunice C. Dyer, daughter of the builder, and...
, in which he served during Farragut
David Farragut
David Glasgow Farragut was a flag officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the United States Navy. He is remembered in popular culture for his order at the Battle of Mobile Bay, usually paraphrased: "Damn the...
's daring dash past Forts Jackson and St. Philip
Fort St. Philip
Fort St. Philip is a decommissioned masonry fort located on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, about up river from its mouth in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana...
on the lower Mississippi
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
to capture New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
in 1862.
Somers was launched by the New York Navy Yard on April 16, 1842, and was commissioned on 12 May 1842, with Mackenzie in command. After completing a shakedown cruise Puerto Rico and back, the new brig sailed out of New York harbor on September 13, 1842 with orders to head for the Atlantic coast of Africa with dispatches for frigate Vandalia. Somers was also acting as an experimental schoolship for naval apprentices on this voyage.
While in command of the USS Somers
USS Somers (1842)
The second USS Somers was a brig in the United States Navy during the Mexican-American War, infamous for being the only U.S. Navy ship to undergo a mutiny which led to executions....
in 1842, en route to the United States from the West African coast, Commander Mackenzie oversaw the arrest, trial, and execution of three American sailors who had supposedly plotted to take control of the ship. The ring leader, Philip Spencer
Philip Spencer
Philip Spencer , a midshipman aboard the USS Somers, was hanged for mutiny without a lawful court-martial. He was the son of John C. Spencer, Secretary of War in U.S. President John Tyler's administration, and the grandson of Ambrose Spencer, a New York politician and lawyer.-Background:Spencer was...
, was the son of Secretary of War John Canfield Spencer
John Canfield Spencer
John Canfield Spencer was an American lawyer, politician, judge and United States Cabinet secretary in the administration of President John Tyler.-Early life:...
. Although Mackenzie was completely exonerated at a trial and at a subsequent court martial, the controversial incident (known as the "Somers Affair") colored the remainder of his life. It was customary during the time of Captain Mackenzie to commend officers cleared at a court-martial, but Mackenzie's court-martial made very clear it was not commending him.
After looking for Vandalia at Madeira, Tenerife, and Porto Praia, Somers arrived at Monrovia, Liberia, on November 10 only to discover that the frigate had already sailed for home. The next day, Mackenzie set sail for the Virgin Islands hoping to meet up with Vandalia at St. Thomas before the return journey back to New York. On the passage to the West Indies, the some of the officers noticed a steady worsening of morale among the crew. On the 26th, Mackenzie arrested Midshipman Philip Spencer, the son of Secretary of War Spencer, for inciting mutiny.
Somers Mutiny
In 1842 MacKenzie was in command of the brig "Somers," whose crew was mostly inexperienced sailors and seamen. In the autumn of that year Mackenzie and his crew embarked on their journey back to the United States from the West Indies. Soon after they were out to sea the existence of a mutinous plot on board was discovered and the three young sailors responsible were immediately placed under ship's arrest. A council of officers was called who concluded the three were guilty and recommended their immediate execution. This recommendation was carried into effect at sea on December 1, 1842. The "Somers" soon afterward arrived in New York, when a court of inquiry was immediately ordered to investigate the affair. The result was a full approval of the conduct of Mackenzie. Subsequently a court-martial was held upon him at Mackenzie's own request, the trial again resulting in his acquittal. As the young men that had been executed were all of good social standing, one being the son of Secretary of War, John C. Spencer, the entire affair resulted in a great sensation, and Mackenzie's conduct was as severely criticised by some as it was ardently defended by his supporters.Military historian and author
Mackenzie was also an accomplished author and military historian who was a contemporary of Henry Wadsworth LongfellowHenry Wadsworth Longfellow
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an American poet and educator whose works include "Paul Revere's Ride", The Song of Hiawatha, and Evangeline...
and a personal friend of Washington Irving
Washington Irving
Washington Irving was an American author, essayist, biographer and historian of the early 19th century. He was best known for his short stories "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle", both of which appear in his book The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. His historical works...
. His first work was A Year in Spain, by a Young American, 1829; which immediately became popular in America as well as in England. " Other works by MacKenzie include Popular Essays on Naval Subjects, 1833; The American in England, 1835; Spain Revisited, 1836; Life of John Paul Jones, 1841; Life of Commodore Oliver H. Perry, 1841; and Life of Commodore Stephen Decatur 1846. He also wrote a manuscript A Journal of a Tour in Ireland, The Case of the 'Seiners; Defence of A. S. Mackenzie", 1843.
Published works
- Mackenzie, Alexander Slidell 1803-1848. (1915) Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry : famous American naval hero, victor of the battle of Lake Erie, his life and achievements (Akron, Ohio: Superior Printing Co.)
- Mackenzie, Alexander Slidell, 1803-1848 (1840) The life of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. (New York, Harper) Volume 1, Volume 2.