At the age of 15, he ran away from home and joined the Union Army, serving as a private for 3 years in the Civil War in COMPANY I 23rd Missouri Volunteer Infantry, under Captain John Parker, from Jan 1, 1862, resigned July 8, 1862 and then under Captain Marion Cave, from Sep 5, 1862, mustered out Dec 30, 1864.
A letter written to his mother February 3, 1862 from Macon County, Missouri, states:
"Dear Mother:
I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well and hope these few lines may find you in good health.
We are encamped about forty miles east of Chillicothe(?) on the west Chanton(?).
I expect to start out on a scout if nothing happens tomorrow.
I am well and have been ever since I came in camp. I have felt better since I came in camp than ever I did in my life without bragging. I expect to come home before the first of April if nothing happens.
Direct your letters to Capt. Parker Co. (I) 23rd Regiment Mo. Vols
Yours with Respect
John Alexander"
After receiving his discharge at Savannah in 1864, he went to New York and from there, back to St. Louis, and then home. He was not quite 20 years of age.
About 1869, he came to Texas and settled somewhere near Fredericksburg, Texas. It's been reported that he joined the Texas Rangers from 1871-1873 and was known as "Kansas Bill", though I haven't found documentation to back this up.
On June 15, 1873, John William Alexander married Ruth Lillie Lacy at Boerne, Texas.
At the age of 15, he ran away from home and joined the Union Army, serving as a private for 3 years in the Civil War in COMPANY I 23rd Missouri Volunteer Infantry, under Captain John Parker, from Jan 1, 1862, resigned July 8, 1862 and then under Captain Marion Cave, from Sep 5, 1862, mustered out Dec 30, 1864.
A letter written to his mother February 3, 1862 from Macon County, Missouri, states:
"Dear Mother:
I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well and hope these few lines may find you in good health.
We are encamped about forty miles east of Chillicothe(?) on the west Chanton(?).
I expect to start out on a scout if nothing happens tomorrow.
I am well and have been ever since I came in camp. I have felt better since I came in camp than ever I did in my life without bragging. I expect to come home before the first of April if nothing happens.
Direct your letters to Capt. Parker Co. (I) 23rd Regiment Mo. Vols
Yours with Respect
John Alexander"
After receiving his discharge at Savannah in 1864, he went to New York and from there, back to St. Louis, and then home. He was not quite 20 years of age.
About 1869, he came to Texas and settled somewhere near Fredericksburg, Texas. It's been reported that he joined the Texas Rangers from 1871-1873 and was known as "Kansas Bill", though I haven't found documentation to back this up.
On June 15, 1873, John William Alexander married Ruth Lillie Lacy at Boerne, Texas.
Inscription
Headstone is marked "C.S.A" which is incorrect. John William Alexander was a Union soldier. I have uniform picture, military records and newspaper articles to document his service.
Family Members
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Sarah Isabel Alexander Bullock
1844–1901
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Charles Augustus Alexander
1848–1931
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Thomas Jefferson Alexander
1850–1918
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Louisa Catherine Alexander
1853–1854
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Dr Benjamin Johnson Alexander
1855–1918
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Margaret Annie Alexander Johnson
1857–1913
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Francis Marion Alexander
1860–1944
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James Grant Alexander
1863–1953
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George Banks Alexander
1863–1937
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Aciel Thomas Alexander
1874–1928
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Charles Augustus Alexander
1875–1961
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Ernest Melvin Alexander
1877–1954
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Mary Eunice Alexander Soules
1878–1978
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Hugh Phelps Alexander Sr
1880–1956
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William Henry Alexander
1882–1950
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Louis Benjamin Alexander
1884–1966
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Cinthy Louanna "Lu" Alexander Young
1887–1977
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Samuel Albert Alexander
1890–1960
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Ira Alexander
1897–1897
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