History of Langley, (Fairfax County) Virginia United States of America

Our database does not include an historic photo for Langley, (Fairfax County) Virginia, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us!

William Whann Mackall, soldier, was born in Cecil county, Md., in 1818, he was graduated from the U. S. Military academy in 1837, and was promoted 2d lieutenant, 1st artillery, July 1, 1837. He served in the war against the Seminole Indians, 1837-39; was promoted 1st lieutenant, July 9, 1838, and was severely wounded from an ambush in the skirmish at New Inlet, Feb. 11, 1839. He participated in the Canada border disturbances as adjutant of 1st artillery, 1810-41; and served on the Maine frontier, 1841-43. He was brevetted captain of staff, with the rank of assistant adjutant-general, Dec. 29, 1846, and served throughout the war with Mexico; was brevetted captain, Sept. 23, 1846, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the several conflicts at Monterey, Mexico; participated in the siege of Vera Cruz, the battle of Cerro Gordo, the capture of San Antonio; was promoted captain, and was brevetted major, Aug. 20, 1847, for Contreras and Churubusco, Mexico. He was assistant adjutant-general of General Butler's volunteer division, 1846-47; of General Worth's regular division, 1847-48; of the western division, 1849-50, and of the 3d military department, 1850-51. He was treasurer of the Soldiers' Home, a military asylum near Washington, D.C., 1851-53, and was brevetted major of staff and assistant adjutant-general, Aug. 5, 1853. He was assigned to the eastern division and served, 1853-56; was on special duty at Washington, D.C., 1855-56, and was assistant adjutant-general of the department of the Pacific, 1856-61. He was promoted lieutenant-colonel of staff and assistant adjutant-general, May 11, 1861, but declined. He resigned from the U. S. army, Aug. 3, 1861, and on Sept. 15, 1861, was appointed assistant adjutant-general on the staff of Gen. A. S. Johnston with the rank of colonel. He served in camp at Bowling Green, and when Gen. S. B. Buckner was entrusted with the defence of Forts Henry and Donelson he was transferred to his staff. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, and was placed in command of the troops on Madrid Bend, Island No. 10, March 29, 1862, where he succeeded Gen. John P. McCown, and on the surrender of the island, April 8, 1862, he was one of the three general officers who surrendered. He was imprisoned in Fort Warren, Boston harbor, until exchanged. After his exchange he was assigned to the command of a brigade in the department of Tennessee under Gen. Samuel Jones. In December following he was given command of the District of the Gulf, and in February, 1863, being succeeded by Gen. S. B. Buckner, he was assigned to the western division of that district. In April, 1863, he was appointed chief of staff to Gen. Braxton Bragg, and was relieved at his own request after the battle of Chickamauga. In November following he was assigned to the command of the brigades lately under General H?bert, at Smithville, N.C., and in November, 1864, was assigned to Gen. Joseph E. Johnston as chief of staff, and served in the Atlanta campaign from Dalton to Atlanta. On April 20, 1865, after the surrender of General Lee, he joined with Gens. G. W. Smith and Howell Cobb in the surrender of Macon, Ga. He died at Langley, Va., Aug. 19, 1891.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Langley, (Fairfax County) Virginia

Biographies: