Part of the Sesquicentennial 150th Anniversary of the Civil War
On February 14, 2015, as part of the Sesquicentennial 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War, the Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, held it's opening ceremonies at the Captain Alexander McRae monument honoring his service during the Civil War.
On February 14, 2015, as part of the Sesquicentennial 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War, the Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, held it's opening ceremonies at the Captain Alexander McRae monument honoring his service during the Civil War.
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Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1 Members
February 14, 2015
The origin of this special observance started several years through the efforts of Ruger Camp #1 member Doug Elwell. |
Captain Alexander McRae (MacRae)
On May 18, 2013 a stone marker was dedicated in front of the Old Cumberland County Court House in Fayetteville, NC. This marker was dedicated in honor of Captain Alexander McRae. Captain McRae was a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina and a West Point graduate in 1851. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Alexander McRae was assigned duty to the southwest territory. He was assigned to the desolate region at Fort Craig New Mexico.
In February of 1862 Captain Alexander McRae died during action, some 1,800 miles from his hometown of Fayetteville, NC, near a town called Valverde, at a ford on Valverde Creek. What makes this dedication a little unusual is that there were five McRae brothers who fought during the American Civil War, only one was a Union officer. Alexander McRae’s four brothers fought for the Confederacy. Captain Alexander McRae chose to retained his Federal commission in the service to the Union Army.
In February of 1862 Captain Alexander McRae died during action, some 1,800 miles from his hometown of Fayetteville, NC, near a town called Valverde, at a ford on Valverde Creek. What makes this dedication a little unusual is that there were five McRae brothers who fought during the American Civil War, only one was a Union officer. Alexander McRae’s four brothers fought for the Confederacy. Captain Alexander McRae chose to retained his Federal commission in the service to the Union Army.
Though Captain McRae served valiantly and died a hero during the Civil War, for a long time there was little to remind his hometown about his courage and bravery. That is until, Doug Elwell a member of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1 heard about it.
Fayetteville local city historian Bruce Daws told Captain McRae’s story to Doug Elwell and immediately the wheels were set in motion. With the help of many, including the MacRae family, fellow members of the Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1, Socorro County Historical Society and Fayetteville History Museum the concept of placing a memorial honoring Captain McRae was on the move. With the efforts of many from across the country, a 275-pound slab of volcanic rock from the battlefield area was secured. The bronze marker was made and attached with the stone being placed outside the old historical Cumberland Courthouse on Gillespie Street in May 2013. The property on which the old court house stands was once part of the McRae family homestead.
Inscription
Captain Alexander McRae
Captain Alexander McRae
USMA 1851
3rd U.S. Cavalry
KIA February 21, 1862 at Valverde, New Mexico
Born to John and Mary MacRae in Fayetteville on September 4, 1829 Alexander McRae (his spelling) graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1851 and commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Mounted Rifles, later redesignated the U.S. Cavalry in 1861. He was assigned duty to the southwest and at the outbreak of the Civil War he chose to retain his Federal commission to serve in the Union Army. His four brothers served in the Confederate Army.
On February 21, 1862 at the Battle of Valverde, New Mexico Captain McRae was commanding a battery of artillery when it was overrun by Confederate troops from Texas under General Henry Sibley. During the resulting hand‑to‑hand fighting in defense of the artillery, Captain McRae had been wounded twice when he received a fatal bullet wound to the head. After the battle his commander, Colonel Canby, wrote “Pure in character, upright in conduct, devoted to his profession, and of a loyalty that was deaf to the seductions of family and friends, Captain McRae died, as he had lived, an example of the best and highest qualities that a man can possess.” In 1867 his body was exhumed from its New Mexico grave, placed in a casket, and given a hero’s escort from Army Post to Army Post on its way to his final resting place at the U.S. Cemetery at
West Point.
* The stone behind this plaque is from the area of the Valverde Battlefield *
Transportation and Local Area
History Museum
Fayetteville, NC
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Department of North Carolina
Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1
Fayetteville, NC
Socorro County Historical Society
Socorro, New Mexico
Photo Series
Showing the stages of preparation and the dedication of May 18, 2013.
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| The stone was procured from Socorro, New Mexico |
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Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Color Guard
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| Dedication Ceremony |
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Robert Alverz, minister of St. John’s, MacRae family's church,
Lee Harford, Jim MacRae, Doug Elwell and Heidi representing the town of Fayetteville.
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| MacRae Family Members |
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| Family and Attendees |
