 
  Scott Co MO |
|
|
John Mack SANDERS, the 1st Scott County Home Guard
John Mack, along with other young men, and older men of the county, formed the Scott County Home Guard. Like the Enrolled Militia, they were allowed to live at home, and were only called out to duty, when an emergency arose or there was threat of invasion, and so on. John Mack has often told the story, of how he was shot at one day during the war, while cutting across a farm field on his way home. What saved him, was the fact that he heard the click of the hammer of the gun, before the gunpowder ignited. He fell to the ground, just as the bullet whizzed by. He got up and ran as fast as he could, never turning to see who was reloading to take another shot at him. It was only assumed to be a local Confederate sympathizer, many of whom lived in the area. These were very difficult times, as neighbors turned against each other, depending on their allegiance. John Mack never saw any real action during the war. Four of his older brothers served during the war though, and coincidentally, all were named after politicians. Brother Churchill SANDERS served with the 79th Regiment of the Missouri Enrolled Militia. James K. Polk SANDERS died while serving with General “Fremont’s Rangers”. Martin Van Buren SANDERS and Allen Brasell SANDERS, along with brother-in-law David SPRADLIN, served with the 50th Missouri Infantry Regiment. Other relatives, neighbors and friends served in various other units. The military careers of these SANDERS’ brothers is detailed in the booklet, “Sanderses in the Civil War”, by John Maurath, 1982. John Mack SANDERS, his father, grandfather, son and grandson, were all well-known country fiddle players in Scott County. A couple of them played well enough to be concert violinists. Some of their fiddles (a couple of them from the late 1700’s) are still in the family, surviving even through the Civil War, as did John Mack, who died at age 83 in 1932. Submitted by John Mack’s 90 year old grandson, John Mack SANDERS, II (the 2nd), through his grandson, John L. MAURATH. Picture: This picture is from the Sanders family collection, belonging to John Mack SANDERS, II. The picture is dated late 1890’s. Notice John Mack’s resemblance to Late Night personality, Johnny CARSON. Note the jovial eyes (not all people who had their pictures taken back then, had that serious, somber look) .John Mack Sanders, I: This site is a AHGP Project which is a volunteer genealogical organization dedicated to the free access of genealogical information. NOTE: If you run across a site thats charges a fee to view these pages, please let me know This is a free site. There is not a charge to view these pages. Return To -S- Biographies 
 
| |