Alexander McRae (1829–1862) facts for kids

Alexander McRae (born in 1829, died in 1862) was a brave officer in the United States Army. He came from North Carolina and served in places like Texas and New Mexico before the American Civil War. When the war started, he fought for the Union Army and sadly lost his life in the Battle of Valverde.

Growing Up and Becoming an Officer

Alexander McRae was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina on September 4, 1829. His parents were John and Mary McRae.

When he was 17, Alexander was accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point. This is a famous school where people train to become Army officers. He studied there from 1847 to 1851. When he graduated, he was one of the top students in his class. On the same day he graduated, he became a Second Lieutenant in the Army, joining a group called the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen. These were soldiers who rode horses and carried rifles.

Serving on the Frontier

Lieutenant McRae's first job was at Jefferson Barracks Military Post in Missouri from 1851 to 1852. After that, he began working on the frontier in Texas. He served at different forts, including Fort Merrill (1852-1854), Fort Ewell (1852-1853), and Fort Inge (1854-1855). He also helped with scouting missions, which meant exploring and gathering information. From 1855 to 1856, he was stationed at Fort Clark, Texas.

In 1856, he led new soldiers to the New Mexico Territory. He served at Fort Union National Monument from 1856 to 1857. While there, he was promoted to First Lieutenant on January 26, 1857. Later that year, he worked at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site in Colorado and helped escort the Governor of New Mexico Territory. He then served at Fort Craig from 1857 to 1858.

McRae returned to Fort Union in 1858 and took part in a journey to Utah during the Utah War. After that, he spent time recruiting new soldiers from 1858 to 1860. He went back to frontier duty at Fort Union from 1860 to 1861, doing more scouting. He was then sent to Fort Stanton in late 1861. On June 10, 1861, he became a Captain of the Mounted Riflemen. A few months later, on August 3, 1861, his unit was renamed the 3rd Cavalry Regiment (United States), and he became a Captain in that regiment.

Fighting in the Civil War

When the American Civil War began, Captain McRae's father wrote to him, asking him to join the Confederate side. However, Captain McRae chose to stay loyal to the United States Army and fought for the Union Army. Meanwhile, his four brothers fought for the Confederate States of America.

In New Mexico Territory, Captain McRae was given command of an artillery battery, which means he was in charge of six cannons. On February 21, 1862, he was involved in the Battle of Valverde. During the battle, he was wounded twice while bravely defending his cannons. Sadly, he was killed when Confederate soldiers from the 5th Texas Mounted Rifles Regiment took over his position. Alexander McRae was 32 years old when he died. He was buried at Fort Craig.

A Lasting Legacy

After the Battle of Valverde, Colonel Edward Canby, McRae's commanding officer, wrote a special report. He said that Captain McRae was a very good person, honest, and dedicated to his job. He also mentioned that McRae was loyal to his country, even when his family and friends tried to convince him to switch sides. Colonel Canby wrote that Captain McRae died as he had lived, showing the best qualities a person can have.

In 1867, Captain McRae's body was moved from New Mexico Territory. It was carried across the country with a special escort from one Army post to another, like a hero's journey. He was finally buried at the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery at West Point, the same place where he had trained to become an officer.