Macks in the War
Chapters
Introduction
The Macks as Refugees
Macks in the War
Macks in Politics
Authorized by Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union troops raised in southwest Missouri were the Greene and Christian County Home Guards. John A. Mack Sr. enlisted in the company on June 7. 1861. Unhappy with the performance of their first captain Theophilus Piper, the company held an election and he was reduced to the ranks. The elder Mack was elected the new captain. While this election violated every principle of military discipline, the practices was not entirely unheard of in Spring of 1861, and illustrates the confused and hurried nature of war preparations.
Despite his devotion to the Union, military service proved too strenuous for the fifty-five year old John Mack. Marshal worried as his father’s health failed and the elder Mack refused to leave the service. Frustrated by John’s obstinacy, Marshal scolded his father in a scathing letter on March 7:
I am of Dr. Noble’s opinion you are guilty of suicide in staying in camp in stead of com-ing home as your duty to your family require you to do the best you can to preserve your health & you are killing yourself by staying where you are you have no right to stay in camp when you know you will never get well as long as you stay & probably have already contracted an incurable disease you sertainly have forgotten the first principles of the teaching of the Bible to act as you are doing
Marshal Mack to Robert Mack, March 7, 1862
Perhaps Marshal’s pleadings had the desired effect, although his harshest language came after John was discharged from the 6th Missouri on March 10, 1862, and began what proved to be a difficult journey to join his family in Iowa. John was accompanied by his son William “Lundy” who received a medical discharge from the regiment on the same day as his father. William described their struggles after leaving St. Louis in a letter dated March 17.
Shortly after his arrival in Iowa, John learned that a family friend, Lieutenant Rufus H.C. Mack had been killed in a skirmish on March 13, 1862 along the Spring River in Arkansas. Though saddened by the loss, John was devastated when his son Osman died of disease at Houston, Missouri in April 1862. The letter John wrote after he learned the tragic news is the most agonizing and heart wrenching in the collection.
The Mack family returned to Greene County in the spring of 1862. The 1st Arkansas Cavalry (U.S.) was mustered into service at Springfield in July 1862. Although refugees from northwest Arkansas were the backbone of the regiment, many Missourians also filled its ranks. The new regiment needed experienced officers, and as local men with previous service, the Macks were ideal candidates. Rowan and Robert joined the 1st Arkansas in August 1862.
By 1863 William Mack was authorized to raise a company for service in the 2nd Arkansas Cavalry (U.S.), commanded by Colonel John E. Phelps, son of Missouri Congressman John S. Phelps. Although William’s company never materialized, the summer of 1863 was an excellent time for recruiting efforts in southwest Missouri. John Mack reported to his son Rowan that recruits were anxious to avoid the newly implemented draft, and wanted to serve in a company with men they knew.
There are some six or seven men up here that want to go into the US Service Thay want to go into your Company because they are acquainted with many in the company and with you as officers I have told them to hold on for a week or ten days and I thought you , Robert, would be up as a recuting officer and take them in to your company This is a good time to recute up here as the crops are about through with as to cultivation and a draft is looked for and there is a general dislike to being drafted. I think if one of you was up here you could soon fill your company but you ought to be here as soon as you can as recuting officers are plenty and the draft is expected to come off soon after the Enrollment is compleated.
John A. Mack to Rowan and Robert Mack, July 28, 1863
Having lost one son, John was especially concerned about the battlefield exploits of his remaining children. Though pleased to know they performed heroically, he still worried about their safety:
We received Lundys Willises and Rowans letters dated the 15th and 16th on Saturday evening (which was day before yesterday) and were truly glad to hear from you and that you were all well and we were truly Thankfull for Rowans escape from a more dangerous wound or death we will say here that while we like to hear of our sons doing Their duty we think that bravery may run into rashness and we rather fear that success and escape from danger may beget in you what is called fool hardyness guard against that and while you act with bravery act with prudence your lives are of importance to your Country your family and yourselves the Country has few enough true Union men and while they battle for their Country they should take care of their lives and health.
John A. Mack to Rowan, Robert, and William Mack, October 26, 1863
