William Whann Mackall

Background

William Mackall was born on January 18, 1817, in Cecil County, Maryland, United States. Little is known about his early life.

Education

William graduated eighth in a class of fifty from the United States Military Academy in 1837.

Career

A career officer in the United States Army before the Civil War, William Mackall was severely wounded in 1838 during the Seminole War. He served on the border during the Canadian disturbances of 1840 and on the Maine frontier in 1841-1842.

During the Mexican War, he was breveted captain for his performance at Monterrey and major for his services at Contreras and Churubusco. During the 1850s, he was also adjutant general for the Western and Eastern Divisions, and in 1856, he was named adjutant general for the Department of the Pacific.

He resigned his commission on July 3, 1861, and joined the Confederate Army. In the early days of the war, he was adjutant-general to General Albert Sidney Johnston. Promoted to brigadier general on March 6, 1862, he was captured during the Confederate loss at Island Number 10 the following month.

William was later exchanged. Mackall was given command of the District of the Gulf in December 1862. From April to September 1863, he served as Braxton Bragg's chief of staff, and from January 1864 until the end of the war, he was chief of staff to General Joseph E. Johnston.

Mackall refused to surrender under John B. Hood and was relieved of command. Mackall saw no further military service. After the war, he farmed his plantation "Langley" in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Achievements

• William Whann Mackall distinguished himself in the Seminole War, Mexican War and at the start of the Civil War declined promotion to Lieutenant Colonel to serve in the Confederate Army. For his military service, he was promoted Brigadier General in 1862. He was assigned to the command of the Confederate forces at Madrid Bend and later he was given command of the district of the Gulf and was appointed chief of staff by General Braxton Bragg.

Religion

Mackall attended the Episcopal church but was without religious affiliation.

Views

William was opposed to slavery and accepted secession with reluctance.

Connections

William married Aminta Sorrel, daughter of a Savannah merchant, on May 7, 1843. They had five children.

Wife:

Aminta Elizabeth Douglass Sorrel Mackall

1823-1904

Son:

William Whann Mackall

1853-1939

Son:

Benjamin Mackall

1855-1911

Son:

Douglass Sorrell Mackall

1863-1943

Son:

Henry Clinton Mackall

1866-1940

Son:

Moxley Sorrel Mackall

1867-1867

colleague:

Albert Johnston

References

• The Civil War Dictionary
  1991
• Civil War High Commands
  2002
• Who Was Who in the Civil War
  1988
• Generals in Gray: Lives of the Confederate Commanders
  2006
• Biographical Dictionary of the Confederacy
  1977