Alexander Slidell Mackenzie

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 supposedly plotted to take control of the ship. The ring leader, Philip Spencer, was the son of the Secretary of War, John Canfield 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 [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/1-4cav.htm 4th US 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. Another son was Lt. Commander Alexander Slidell MacKenzie (Civil War).

The story of the Somers Affair and the subsequent trial was dramatized in the penultimate episode of the sixth season of JAG. The regular cast portrayed the individuals involved, with the role of Mackenzie played by Trevor Goddard.

A sister married Commodore Matthew C. Perry.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

* McFarland, Philip "Sea Dangers: The Affair of the Somers" (New York: Schocken Books, 1985), 308p., illus. ISBN 0-8052-3990-1