Alexander Slidell Mackenzie

From Freepedia

Alexander Slidell Mackenzie (1803-1848) was a U.S. Navy officer who served during the first half of the 19th century. He was the brother of U.S. Senator John Slidell, who was involved in the Civil War's "Trent Affair."

Mackenzie entered the United States Navy as a midshipman in 1815. In honor of a maternal uncle, he assumed the name Mackenzie in 1837. A contemporary of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and a personal friend of Washington Irving, he published a number of books, including Life of John Paul Jones, Life of Commodore O.H. Perry, and Life of Commodore Stephen Decatur.

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 plotted to take control of the ship. The ring leader, Philip Spencer, was the son of the Secretary of War, John C. Spencer. Although he was completely exonerated at a trial and at a subsequent court martial, the controversial incident (known as the "Somers Affair") colored the remainder of Mackenzie's life.

Mackenzie was the father of General Ranald Slidell Mackenzie, who, after a successful Civil War career, commanded the Fourth Cavalry Regiment, securing the line of settlement in Texas and throughout the west. Ranald Mackenzie was arguably the best Indian fighter of the American West.