Alexander McRae (American soldier)
Alexander McRae (September 4, 1829 – February 21, 1862) was a
Early life and career
Alexander McRae was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1829 to John and Mary McRae.[2]
McRae received an appointment as a Cadet at the
McRae's first duty was served in the garrison at
In 1856, he conducted recruits to
McRae returned to Fort Union, in 1858, and was in the March to Utah, in 1858. Next he was on recruiting service from 1858 to 1860. He returned to frontier duty at Fort Union, in 1860-1861, engaged in scouting in 1861 then back to Fort Union then sent to Fort Stanton in later 1861, where he received his promotion to captain, Mounted Riflemen, June 10, 1861. He became captain of 3rd Cavalry Regiment, August 3, 1861, when the Mounted Riflemen were redesignated.[1]
American Civil War
At the beginning of the
Legacy
In his official report of the Combat of Valverde, Colonel Canby, wrote:
Among the killed is one, isolated by peculiar circumstances, whose memory deserves notice from a higher authority than mine. Pure in character, upright in conduct, devoted to his profession, and of a loyalty that was deaf to the seductions of family and friends, Captain McRae died, as he had lived, an example of the best and highest qualities that man can possess.[1]
In 1867 his body was exhumed from its grave in New Mexico Territory and carried across the country from Army post to Army post with a hero's escort to be interred at the
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Cullums Register, Vol. II, p.457, #1516, CLASS 1851 (Born N. C.) Alexander McRae (Ap'd N. C.) 23
- ^ a b c Captain Alexander McRae Marker, Fayetteville
- ^ [Battles and Leaders of the Civil war Vol .II .p.108]
- ^ Captain Alexander McRae Marker, Fayetteville