Alexander McRae (American soldier) facts for kids

Alexander McRae (born 1829, died 1862) was a brave officer in the United States Army. He came from North Carolina. Before the American Civil War, he worked on the edges of the country in places like Texas and New Mexico. When the Civil War started, he joined the Union Army and sadly died in a battle called the Battle of Valverde.

Growing Up and Joining the Army

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

When he was 17, Alexander McRae got a special chance to attend the United States Military Academy, also known as West Point. He started there on July 1, 1847. He studied hard for four years and graduated on July 1, 1851. He was 23rd in his class, which was a good achievement.

Right after graduating, he became a Second Lieutenant in the Army. He joined a group called the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen. These soldiers rode horses and carried rifles, often working on the frontier.

Life on the Frontier

McRae's first job was at Jefferson Barracks in Missouri from 1851 to 1852. After that, he moved to the frontier in Texas.

He served at several forts in Texas:

• Fort Merrill in 1852 and again from 1853 to 1854.
• Fort Ewell from 1852 to 1853, where he went on scouting missions.
• Fort Inge from 1854 to 1855, also doing scouting.
• Fort Clark from 1855 to 1856.

In 1856, McRae helped lead new soldiers to the New Mexico Territory. He then served at Fort Union from 1856 to 1857. While there, on January 26, 1857, he was promoted to First Lieutenant.

He also served at Bent's Fort in Colorado in 1857. He even helped escort the Governor of New Mexico Territory. After that, he was at Fort Craig from 1857 to 1858.

McRae returned to Fort Union in 1858. He was part of a group that marched to Utah during a time of tension known as the Utah War. From 1858 to 1860, he helped recruit new soldiers for the Army.

He went back to frontier duty at Fort Union from 1860 to 1861. He continued scouting missions in 1861. Later that year, he was sent to Fort Stanton. On June 10, 1861, he was promoted to Captain. His group, the Mounted Riflemen, was renamed the 3rd Cavalry Regiment on August 3, 1861.

The Civil War

When the American Civil War began, it was a very difficult time for many families. Alexander McRae's own father wrote to him, asking him to leave the U.S. Army and join the Southern side. However, Captain McRae chose to stay loyal to the Union Army. While he fought for the Union, his four brothers fought for the Confederacy.

In New Mexico, Captain McRae was put in charge of an artillery battery. This meant he commanded six large cannons. On February 21, 1862, he was involved in a major fight called the Battle of Valverde. During this battle, he was wounded twice. He bravely stayed to defend his cannons, but Confederate soldiers from the 5th Texas Mounted Rifles Regiment eventually took over his position. Captain McRae was killed during this fight. He was only 32 years old. He was buried at Fort Craig.

Remembered as a Hero

Years later, in 1867, Alexander McRae's body was moved from its grave in New Mexico. It was carried across the country, with soldiers honoring him at each Army post along the way. He was finally laid to rest at the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery at West Point. This was a special honor for a brave officer who died serving his country.