Alexander Hart facts for kids
Alexander Hart (born October 1, 1839 – died September 21, 1911) was an important officer in the Confederate Army. He served as a major during the American Civil War.
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Alexander Hart's Role in the Civil War
Alexander Hart was from New Orleans. He led soldiers from the Fifth Louisiana Regiment. This group fought in many battles during the American Civil War.
Key Battles and Hart's Leadership
Hart led his troops in several Confederate victories. These included the Second Battle of Winchester and the Second Battle of Kernstown. He wrote about these events in his personal journal. Hart also noted that his regiment helped push back Union troops at the Battle of Smithfield Crossing. During the Battle of Strasburg, his regiment captured many Union soldiers.
Some historical records suggest Hart fought at the Battle of Monocacy. However, his journal does not mention this battle. Instead, he wrote about traveling across Virginia with his troops at that time.
Hart also led his regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg. On the second day of this major battle, he led the 5th Louisiana in a charge up East Cemetery Hill. He was wounded in his left hand. After his injury, Captain Thomas Briscoe took command of the regiment. Hart spent the rest of summer 1863 recovering. He was later certified as permanently disabled. Hart's journal also mentions being injured in battle at least two other times. These were at Antietam and the Battle of Opequon.
Hart's Military Ranks
A book from 1895, The American Jew as Patriot, Soldier and Citizen, notes Hart's early military career. It says he first held the rank of a non-commissioned colonel. He then became a major in 1863. After returning to Confederate territory, Hart was assigned to the general staff. He worked for a General Williams in Montgomery, Alabama.
Alexander Hart's Family and Faith
Hart was born in New Orleans. He was the oldest of Isaac and Julia Hart's twelve children. He married Leonora Levy in Richmond, Virginia, on August 15, 1866. They had four children together.
Family Connections to the War
Two of Leonora's brothers also fought for the Confederacy. They were Captain Ezekiel "Zeke" Levy and Isaac J. Levy. Both served in the 46th Virginia Infantry. Isaac J. Levy was killed in action on August 21, 1864. His tombstone describes his bravery and strong faith. He wrote a letter to his sister Leonora describing his last Passover holiday in 1864. Captain Ezekiel Levy is mentioned in Hart's diary. Leonora's sister, Sarah Levy, married Corporal Edwin I. Kursheedt. He was a soldier in the Louisiana Washington Artillery battalion.
Many Jewish soldiers fought under Hart. This is noted in the book The American Jew as Patriot, Soldier and Citizen. Among the Jewish officers in the Louisiana Fifth were Lieutenant L.S. Lipman. He died in battle on May 9, 1863. He is buried in the Cemetery for Hebrew Confederate Soldiers in Richmond, Virginia. Another officer was Captain David Cohen Labatt.
Hart's Jewish Community Involvement
It is likely that Hart attended the Shangarai Chasset (Gates of Mercy) congregation in New Orleans. This congregation later merged to form the New Orleans Touro Synagogue. Hart's journal mentions Benjamin Florance. Benjamin Florance was a founding trustee of that New Orleans synagogue. Hart also briefly wrote about observing the Passover holiday in 1865.
After the war, Hart settled in Staunton, Virginia. In 1876, he helped organize the Temple House of Israel synagogue. He became its first president and held the position for eighteen years. The building where Hart's original congregation met still stands in Staunton.
Hart also guided the Jewish community in nearby Harrisonburg, Virginia. He helped them organize a Sunday school for young people. In 1890, Major Hart confirmed the first class in their new place of worship.
Later in life, Hart moved to Norfolk, Virginia. He was active in the Confederate War Veterans. He served as a commander in the Pickett-Buchanan Camp in Norfolk. Hart was known to lead services at the Ohef Sholom Temple when the rabbi was away. He died just before his seventy-second birthday and was buried in Norfolk. His tombstone reads "Major Alexander Hart, 5th La. Inf. C.S.A."
