Submitted by Donna W. Collins
Alexander Logan was born February, 1825 in Fayette County, Alabama to Robert "Bob" Logan and Virginia Jane "Jennie" McCaleb. The Logans were staunch Republicans and Church of Christ believers. Robert had been raised as a Presbyterian but was supposedly converted by Andrew Campbell.
The eight brothers, born between 1823 and 1847 all supported the Union cause although the oldest, Daniel Lapsley "Lap" Logan could not enlist for medical reasons. Because of a hernia, he was unable to serve in the Union Army with his brothers but he helped build bridges for the Union forces. It is possible Lap died from tuberculosis although it is rumored he was murdered and his body tied on the back of horse, taken home, and thrown into the yard.
Alex married Nancy Beasley on February 5, 1854 in Marion County, Alabama by John McCaleb, minister.
The muster rolls of Company B, 1st Regiment, Alabama Calvary contain the following evidence of Alexander’s service:
Alexander B. Logan voluntarily enlisted in the Union Army, Alabama Calvary, January 16, 1863 at Glendale, Mississippi by P. A. Sternburg, in Company A, 81st Ohio Infantry and mustered in January 22, 1863 in Corinth, Mississippi to serve one year. Pvt. Alexander Logan, incurred measles while in the line of duty with Company B, 1st Regiment, and died in the 81st Ohio Regiment Hospital. His brother, Hugh White (Logan), was with him at the time of his death. March 24, 1863, John Calvin Logan, also a brother, received at Glendale, MS, of Captain Henry T. Summer, Commander of Company B, AL Calvary, the following, being the affects of Alexander Logan, late of said company, deceased, one Calvary jacket, one pair shoes, one blanket, and sixty dollars in specie (hard money).
Alex died February 11, 1863 and was buried at Soldiers Cemetery, Corinth, Mississippi. After his death his widow, Nancy, would often hang his clothes outside to air. Every time she put his uniform out, their dog would start howling and continue as long as the uniform was outside. Robert Henry, his brother was appointed guardian of Alex’s four minor children until November 13, 1969 when he resigned and returned guardianship to Nancy.
Service records compiled by Glenda Todd and used with her permission. This and other information about the history of the First and the men who fought with the unit
can be found in her book, First Alabama Cavalry, USA: Homage to Patriotism.