[Home] [Robert Mackay Clan Links and Information] [The Origins of William McKay & Family]The Origins of William McKay & Family (Page 6)Where enlisted: St. Charles The listing of Rudolph Hillenkamp as slave owner confirms that William was still the property of Mary Ann McKay when she married in 1863 and as her husband, Rudolph gained the right of ownership of his wife's property. William was immediately assigned to Benton Barracks in St. Louis for training. Benton Barracks was a major Union Army base housing 30,000 soldiers. The base was located on the north side of what is now St. Louis City in the area around the present day intersection of Grand Ave. and Natural Bridge Rd. The base served to train and equip soldiers and organize regimental units before they were sent to the war. William's Compiled Military Service Records show he enlisted for a three year term of service. However, other military records show his enlistment was for a one year term of service. The enlistment also called for him to receive a $100 bounty for his service. Several "Colored Troops" infantry regiments had been organized at Benton Barracks and sent to the Civil War, but later recruits were sent as substitutes to established regiments. William was assigned to Company F, 3rd Regiment, United States Colored Troops, Heavy Artillery in March 1865 at Fort Pickering in Memphis, Tennessee. The monthly company muster-rolls show William McKee remained at Fort Pickering until he was honorably discharged from the Army November 16, 1865 in Memphis. He was due to be paid $67.67, the remaining amount of his $100 bounty. William McKee's name appears on plaque A-8 of the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington D.C. along with 209,000 soldiers and sailors who served the Union. William returned to St. Charles after the Civil War and married Amelia Taggart (Miller?). The official copy of their marriage document shows the marriage of "William McKee and Emilia Tigert" was performed in St. Charles by Albert Deemar, Justice of the Peace, December 28, 1865. The document copy shows it was recorded and filed August 24, 1889--probably as a result of Amelia filing for the Widow's Pension. However, a publication in the St. Louis County Public Library named "Colored Marriages" in St. Charles County, shows the marriage of William McKee and "Emilia Jagart" (Tagart) was initially recorded November 30, 1866. That recording has not been found; either because it is lost or illegible. William next appears in the 1870 Census and the McKay surname is used. The wife's name is shown as "Ella" and there is a son whose name appears to be George. They are living in Ballwin,
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