Background
Barbour was born on April 17, 1829 in Culpeper County, Virginia. He was the son of John S. Barbour, Member of the United States. House of Representatives from Virginia"s 15th congressional district, and his wife Ella A. Byrne.
Barbour was born on April 17, 1829 in Culpeper County, Virginia. He was the son of John S. Barbour, Member of the United States. House of Representatives from Virginia"s 15th congressional district, and his wife Ella A. Byrne.
Barbour attended the University of Virginia and Harvard University"s Harvard Law School.
Is best known for his role as Superintendent of the Harpers Ferry Armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia) during John Brown"s raid. Following his completion of law school, served as a pre-war legislator in Virginia. In January 1859, he was appointed as the Superintendent at the federal armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia).
He served there until 1861 and the beginning of the In October 1859, abolitionist John Brown raided the arsenal in order to steal weapons in an attempt to start an armed rebellion by slaves.
The raid was successful in capturing the arsenal, but ultimately failed. During the, served in the Confederate States Army as a quartermaster. served as an aid to both Joseph East. Johnston and Leonidas Polk.
As quartermaster, served in Montgomery, Alabama and Meridian, Mississippi. Jubal Anderson Early disliked, who termed him "not energetic or efficient." Alfred Madison died on April 4, 1866 in Montgomery, Alabama and was interred at Fairview Cemetery in Culpeper in Culpeper County, Virginia.