Edmund Brooke Alexander

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Edmund Brooke Alexander (October 6, 1802 – January 3, 1888) was a United States Army officer who served from 1823 to 1869 and rose to brevet Brigadier General in 1865.

Born in Haymarket, Virginia, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1823. He spent his early career on frontier duty at various forts and in recruiting.

In the Mexican-American War he earned brevet promotions: major at Cerro Gordo (1847) and lieutenant colonel at the battles of Contreras and Churubusco (1847). After the war, he continued frontier service, helping establish Fort Bliss in the El Paso area by 1855. He was promoted to colonel in 1855 and commanded the 10th Infantry.

Alexander gave the 10th its regimental colors and spoke about duty and honor. He then led the Utah Expedition (1857–58) and continued frontier duty until the Civil War.

During the Civil War he served as Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General, Superintendent of the Volunteer Recruiting Service, and Chief Mustering and Disbursing Officer for Missouri, based in St. Louis from 1863 to 1866.

After the war he commanded the 10th Infantry at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, until his retirement on February 22, 1869, under the law for officers over 62. He died on January 3, 1888 in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Oakland Cemetery, St. Paul, Minnesota. A World War II U.S. Army transport ship, the Edmund B. Alexander, was named in his honor.