Chambers, Alexander, 1832-1888

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Chambers was born in Cattaraugus, New York. He graduated from West Point with the class of 1853 (which also included John Schofield and Philip Sheridan), and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He fought in the Seminole War from 1855, and was promoted to first lieutenant in 1859. In May 1861, shortly after the war started, he was promoted to captain, and performed recruiting duty in Iowa. Promoted to colonel in March 1862, he took command of the 16th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment, leading it at the Battle of Shiloh and the Battle of Iuka, being wounded on both occasions. Returning to duty, he led a brigade in the Vicksburg Campaign. In August 1863, he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and led a division in the XVII Corps, but his appointment was revoked by the U.S. Senate in April 1864. On December 8, 1868, President Andrew Johnson nominated Chambers for appointment to the brevet grade of brigadier general of volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865, for the Battle of Champion's Hill, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on February 16, 1869.

After the war, he reverted to the rank of captain and remained in the army and served as a military judge-advocate in Nebraska, receiving promotions to major and lieutenant colonel. He was also military attache to the Ottoman Empire from July 1877 to September 1878. His last appointment was as garrison commander at Fort Townsend. He died in San Antonio, Texas with the rank of colonel in the 17th U.S. Infantry Regiment and was buried in Owatonna, Minnesota.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Philip Case Lockwood memorial collection of Civil War portraits and autographs, 1862-ca. 1886. Houghton Library
creatorOf Chambers, Alexander, 1803-1876. Family papers, 1803-1986. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Chambers, Alexander, 1803-1876. Chambers and Johnson family papers, 1827-1942. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Hillyer, William Silliman, 1831-1874. Papers of William Silliman Hillyer, 1822 (1861-1874) 1931, [manuscript]. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Chambers, Alexander, d. 1888. Letter: to H. H. Bancroft /by Alexander Chambers, 1885 Jan 4. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Chambers, Alexander -- Brigadier General National Archives at Washington, D.C
referencedIn Consolidated Military Officer's File of Major Alexander Chambers, 4th U.S. Infantry National Archives at Washington, D.C
Role Title Holding Repository
contributorOf 1869 - Chambers, Alexander - File No. C906 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Chambers, Alexander - State: [Blank] - Year: 1868 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf 1861 - Chambers, Alexander - File No. C631 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf 1886 - File No. 5119 - Chambers, Alexander - Wyoming National Archives at Washington, D.C
referencedIn [Iowa] Chambers, Alexander - 16th Infantry, Company F&S National Archives at Washington, D.C
Place Name Admin Code Country
Laramie County WY US
San Antonio TX US
Jefferson County WA US
Shiloh TN US
Vicksburg MS US
Republic of Turkey 00 TR
Lee County IA US
Nebraska NE US
Cattaraugus County NY US
West Point NY US
Florida FL US
Subject
Champion Hill, Battle of, Miss., 1863
Civil War, 1861-1865
Seminole War, 3rd, 1855-1858
Shiloh, Battle of, Tenn., 1862
Vicksburg Campaign, 1863
Occupation
Military attachés
Soldiers
Activity

Person

Birth 1832-08-23

Death 1888-01-02

Male

Americans

English

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SNAC ID: 85813493