Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 4.djvu/387

Rh of the same county. The oldest brother, John D., served as a private in the western army tinder Gen. J. E. Johnston, was wounded near Atlanta in 1864, and is now farming in Jasper county, Miss. The other three were members of the Bethel or Eleventh regiment, North Carolina troops James F., who died in 1895, a lieutenant in Company E; Charles W., now a resident of Birmingham, Ala., a lieutenant of Company A, and later, on account of disability, an enrolling officer. Richard B. enlisted in March, 1862, in Company A, Eleventh regiment, as a sergeant, and was promoted later to orderly-sergeant and finally to second lieutenant. He took part in the battles of White Hall, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, the rest of the campaign to the James, and numerous engagements about Petersburg until, with his whole command, he was captured on the Petersburg lines, April 2, 1865. He was subsequently held as a prisoner of war at Johnson’s island until June 15, 1865. He was wounded seriously at the battle of Gettysburg, and in consequence disabled for four months. After the return of peace he promptly accepted the situation, became as earnest a supporter of the Union as he had been of the Confederacy, and set about the work of providing for his own welfare and that of his fellowmen. After farming six years in Cabarrus and Mecklenburg counties he made his home at Charlotte and began a successful career as a merchant. In 1895, impressed by the wants of the homeless and friendless children of the city, he built and put in operation the Alexander rescue home, and in 1896 founded the Groveton school for poor children, which he supports unaided. Both these institutions are prospering and doing a wonderful amount of good in the community. On September 19, 1861, Mr. Alexander was married to Amanda, daughter of Albert Wilson, of Mecklenburg, who died in 1865, leaving one child, now Mrs. Banna Sarratt. In 1866 he married Jane Wilson, sister of his first wife.

George M. Allen, of Raleigh, is one of three Wake county brothers who were members of Manly s battery. William B. served as commissary-sergeant of the command, and Sidney F. as a private, both throughout the entire war. George M. was born March 9, 1835, and entered the Confederate service as a private in the bat-