Alexander Boteler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexander Robinson Boteler
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 8th district |
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| In office March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1861 |
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| Preceded by | Charles J. Faulkner |
| Succeeded by | James K. Gibson |
| Representative to the Provisional Confederate Congress from Virginia |
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| In office February 4, 1861 – February 17, 1862 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Member of the Confederate States House of Representatives from Virginia | |
| In office February 18, 1862 – February 17, 1864 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Frederick W. M. Holliday |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 16, 1815 Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, Virginia |
| Died | May 8, 1892 (aged 76) Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, West Virginia |
| Resting place | Elmwood Cemetery, Shepherdstown, West Virginia |
| Political party | Opposition |
| Spouse | Helen Stockton Boteler |
| Alma mater | Princeton College (1835) |
| Occupation | Politician, Clerk |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service |  Confederate States Army |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Alexander Robinson Boteler (born May 16, 1815 – died May 8, 1892) was an interesting person from the 1800s. He lived in Shepherdstown, which was part of Virginia and later became West Virginia during the American Civil War. Boteler was many things: a farmer, a businessman, an artist, a writer, and a lawyer. He also served as an officer in the Confederate Army and was a politician.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Alexander Boteler was born in Shepherdstown, Virginia, in 1815. His mother, Helen Robinson, passed away when he was only five years old. After this, his father sent him to live with his grandfather, Alexander Robinson, in Baltimore until he was eleven.
Boteler received a good private education. He even met General Lafayette during his visit to the United States. In 1835, he graduated from Princeton College. After finishing college, he returned to Virginia.
In 1836, Alexander Boteler married Helen Macomb Stockton. They had a son, Alexander Boteler Jr., and several daughters. His son and two nephews later joined the Confederate army during the Civil War. They all survived the war, even though they were wounded a few times.
A Busy Career
When Alexander's father died in 1836, he inherited a large farm called "Fountain Rock" and some debts. He used money from his wife's family and his grandfather to pay these off. Boteler was very interested in new technology, especially steamboats. He supported the inventor James Rumsey, who worked on steamboats on the Potomac River.
Boteler also owned a cement mill. This mill crushed limestone to make cement, which was used for building the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and buildings in Washington D.C. He ran the mill until 1861, when it was destroyed during the Civil War.
Farming and Business
Alexander Boteler was known as a forward-thinking farmer. He used new tools like a "wheat cutter" for harvesting. He also experimented with growing different types of fruits and nuts. He helped start the Jefferson County Agricultural Society and became its president. He gave talks about farming techniques at various fairs.
By 1860, Boteler had 15 enslaved people working on his farm. He also supported the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal financially. However, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad became more popular, which reduced traffic on the canal.
Artist and Writer
Boteler was also a talented artist and writer. In 1860, he published an illustrated book called My Ride to the Barbecue. This book was about a big event he hosted in 1858, which about 5,000 people attended.
Politics and the Civil War
Boteler was very interested in politics. He was part of several political parties over the years, including the Whigs and the Constitutional Union Party. He ran for Congress several times and won in 1858.
John Brown's Raid
In 1859, John Brown led a raid on Harpers Ferry, which was near Boteler's home. When Boteler heard about it, he quickly went to Harpers Ferry. He interviewed and sketched John Brown and others involved in the raid.
Boteler served in the United States House of Representatives from 1859. In 1860, he gave a famous speech where he spoke for the Union but also against those who supported John Brown's raid. He resigned from Congress in April 1861 after Virginia decided to leave the United States.
Serving the Confederacy
When the American Civil War began, Boteler supported Virginia. He joined the Confederate Army and became a colonel. However, he often had health issues and did not do much fighting himself. His son, however, fought in battles like the First Battle of Bull Run.
In 1861, Boteler became a representative to the Provisional Confederate Congress. Later, he was elected to the Confederate States House of Representatives. He was part of a committee that designed the Confederate government's official seal. He lost his bid for re-election in 1864.
During the war, Boteler's home, "Fountain Rock," was often in the middle of the fighting. Union troops arrested him there once but later released him. His cement mill was burned down by Union forces in August 1861. His farm fields were also burned many times. "Fountain Rock" even became a hospital for wounded soldiers after the Battle of Antietam.
Boteler's main role in the Confederacy was political. He served on the staff of famous Confederate generals like Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson and J. E. B. Stuart, acting as a messenger or helper. In 1864, he became a military judge.
In July 1864, Union troops burned down "Fountain Rock." Boteler's wife, daughters, and grandchildren were living there at the time. After the war ended in April 1865, Boteler received a parole from General Grant at Appomattox Court House. He then traveled back to a war-torn Richmond.
Life After the War
After the war, Boteler's cement mill was sold because he didn't have money to rebuild it. It was rebuilt by new investors and operated until 1901.
Boteler remained active in his community in Shepherdstown. He worked to bring the Shenandoah Valley Railroad to his hometown. He also helped connect Shepherdstown to the telegraph system. In 1871, he helped establish Shepherd College.
Boteler continued to write and sketch. He gave speeches at Confederate reunions, sharing stories about Stonewall Jackson and J.E.B. Stuart. He also wrote an article about his experience during John Brown's raid.
He was appointed to several national commissions, including the Tariff Commission by President Chester A. Arthur. He also worked for the Department of Justice until 1889.
In 1889, Boteler sold his "Fountain Rock" property to the Morgans Grove Agricultural Association. This land became the site of a popular annual fair.
Death and Legacy
Alexander Boteler passed away in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, on May 8, 1892, shortly after his wife. He was buried with her at Elmwood Cemetery.
Today, the ruins of Boteler's cement mill still exist. They were bought in 2011 to be added to the Antietam National Battlefield Park. The land where "Fountain Rock" once stood is now part of Morgans Grove Park. Only the spring house, built by his father, remains from Boteler's time.
See Also
Images for kids
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Confederate Colonel rank insignia
