Person:William Alexander (62)

The men of the Campbell- Lee Guards were mustered into service and began their military training in Lynchburg. The regiment, 867 officers and men, left Lynchburg by train to Staunton July 18, 1861, then marched toward what now is West Virginia. The overall objective was to threaten the crossings of the Potomac, especially facilities of the C & O canal and railroad. Their division commander was Stonewall Jackson.

The regiment marched through Monterey July 23rd. Continuing through the mountains, fatigue, short rations, and illness slowed them. Finally, they halted to rest near Big Spring, Pocahontas Co., on August 4th. Measles had broken out and run through the regiment, most from rural backgrounds who never had been exposed to it. July 28th, reports show over 200 men were sick. On August 5th, nearly 300 men were on the sick list, many scattered at various points between Lynchburg and Big Spring. On August 8, the morning report showed only 470 men fit for duty.

On Aug. 7th, the regiment had left Big Spring and marched 3 miles north, to a large encampment on Valley Mountain, where they remained for a month. The camp was along the headwaters of Tygart's Valley River and in the vicinity of Cheat's Mountain. They were among the units under the overall command of Brig. Gen. Lorng and Gen. Robert E. Lee.

Conditions were not good for the men, especially not for men suffering from or exposed to disease. Between Aug. 7 and Sept. 18, it rained or snowed on thirty seven of the forty two days. Snow had fallen on August 13th. Water in their canteens had frozen overnight, on August 14th, meaning the temperature had fallen below 25 degrees for at least two hours. Overcoats, or other adequate clothing, were in short supply. One of the surgeon's, R. N. Hewit, wrote, "There are a great many cases of measles, flux, and diarrhea, colds and coughs without count. Our men say the dews and cold will kill them indeed."

Eight men died during this period, per the roster. Among them was Cpl. William Alexander who died Sept. 8, 1861. On the day that William died, his comrades marched from Valley Mountain toward Cheat Mountain. The men suffered greatly from exposure to the constant rain, etc. and were greatly fatigued when they returned to Valley Mountain at nightfall Sept. 15th. The regiment marched to Big Sewell Mountain Sept. 18th, arriving there Sept. 29th, after wading flood swollen streams, with one creek reported to be a quarter mile wide. During this march, there were days when only 100 men of the regiment were present for duty, as many had had to remain at the previous camps. The Nov. 4 regimental return shows an aggregate strength of 833, or 44 officers and 789 men.

Of the men listed present, there were 29 officers and 385 men available for duty. One officer and 16 men were on extra duty (possibly sent to gather commissary stores or on picket duty). Five officers and 89 men present were on the sick list. Of the men absent, none were absent with leave. six men were AWOL. Nine officers and 256 men were absent, sick. No men present or absent were under arrest. There were 37 men listed as absent on detached service; these primarily consisted of the men left to care for their ill comrades.

This amounted to 43% sick Nov. 4th. The Dec. 5 regimental return showed an aggregate of 787 with 38% sick. From July to Dec 5th, 43 men had been discharged for disability. Another 11 died of disease in October, 18 in November, and ten during December

1. ↑ Carwile Jr., Revely. Alexander family cemetery at Lawyers, Recipient: Mary Elizabeth Stewart , Author E-mail: RevelyBJr@aol.com
   6 July 2007.
2.   Carwile Jr., Revely. Alexander family cemetery at Lawyers, Recipient: Mary Elizabeth Stewart , Author E-mail: RevelyBJr@aol.com
   6 July 2007.
3. ↑ He is said to have died of dysentery
4. ↑ William enlisted in Co. D, the Campbell - Lee Guards, 42nd Virginia Infantry Regiment, on May 31, 1861, at Yellow Branch. He enlisted as a Corporal, age 18.