Background
Barton Stone Alexander was born on September 4, 1819 in Nicholas County, Kentucky, United States. He was the eldest of the ten children of John and Margaret (Davidson) Alexander.
Barton Stone Alexander was born on September 4, 1819 in Nicholas County, Kentucky, United States. He was the eldest of the ten children of John and Margaret (Davidson) Alexander.
Alexander's father was a farmer of small means, but "made considerable exertions to give to his promising son an education rather above his condition. " Alexander entered West Point in 1838, graduating it in 1842.
In 1842 Alexander was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers. From then until the Civil War he was engaged almost constantly in the construction of coast fortifications, of certain buildings at West Point, and of the Soldiers' Home at Washington, then just established; in alterations of the Smithsonian Institution; and, most notable of all from an engineering standpoint, in the erection of a stone lighthouse on Minot's Ledge to replace the iron one destroyed in the great storm of 1851.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Alexander was sent to Washington to assist in the planning and execution of the defenses of the city. He accompanied the advance of the federal troops across the Potomac in May 1861, and supervised the construction of some of the hasty intrenchments which were the beginning of the great chain of forts that eventually surrounded the city. Three times he left Washington for service in the field, taking part in the first battle of Bull Run, the Peninsular Campaign, and a part of Sheridan's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, always, after brief absences, resuming his work on the fortifications. At first as assistant, and later as chief engineer, he had a greater part in the construction of this defensive system than any other man except General Barnard. Of the works which he personally designed the best known at present is Fort McPherson, which, on account of its location in Arlington National Cemetery, remains in perfect preservation.
During the war he was promoted to be major of engineers, and held the temporary rank of lieutenant-colonel. He was brevetted brigadier-general in 1865. In 1867 he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in the regular service, and with that rank continued on engineering duties until his death.
Alexander was a man of great height and bulk, somewhat rough and uncouth in manner; but possessing excellent judgment and high professional qualifications. He was notable for his fondness for children and theirs for him.
Alexander was married to Sarah Bolton Alexander.
