Seventeen (17) of the McCook family of Ohio fought for the Union. Only one of them, Roderick, served on water. Yet, he had the honor of becoming Prize Master of the SAVANNAH, the first (1st) Confederate privateer to be captured.

McCook's prize figured largely in the North/South quarrel over whether or not men aboard a privateer were pirates for whom a hangman's noose was waiting. This issue triggered the first (1st), but far from the last, instance in which hostages were used in a bid to win concessions from foes.