Edward Porter Alexander 1835 – 1910

Biography

Edward Porter Alexander was born on May 26, 1835, in Washington, where he began a life that would span nearly seventy-five years of American history. Over the course of his lifetime, he would witness dramatic transformations in his nation and play a significant role during one of its most turbulent periods. His early years were marked by the formative experiences that would shape his character and career.

Alexander rose to prominence as a general in the Confederate Army, serving with distinction during the American Civil War. His military service reflected the complexities of his era, and he carried those experiences with him throughout his remaining years. After the war’s conclusion, he worked to rebuild his life in the postwar South, eventually settling in Savannah.

On April 28, 1910, Alexander passed away in Savannah at an advanced age, closing a chapter of the nineteenth century. He was laid to rest at Magnolia Cemetery in Augusta, a final resting place that honored his place in American history. Edward Porter Alexander left behind a legacy that connected the antebellum, Civil War, and Reconstruction periods of the United States.