Alexander Jackson was born around 1843 in Albemarle County, Virginia. His parents were James and Patcy Jackson, and his brother Manuel Jackson served alongside Alexander in the 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. While born into slavery, Jackson was likely freed by his owner and moved to Ohio from Virginia in the fall of 1854. Jackson worked on his father's farm prior to the war.

Jackson enlisted as a private at the age of 20 on June 5, 1863, and mustered in 10 days later in Readville, Massachusetts. Jackson's service record describes him as 5 feet, 7 inches tall, with black hair, black eyes, and a dark complexion. He served in Company G of the 55th Massachusetts, the sister regiment of the famed 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. Jackson was wounded in action at Fort No. 2 Long Island, South Carolina, on February 11, 1865. Jackson remained at the general hospital in Beaufort, South Carolina, until his death on March 5, 1865. Army surgeons listed inflammation of the lungs as Jackson's cause of death. His father James successfully applied for and received his son’s unclaimed bounty money but was unable to obtain a parent’s pension in the early 1870s.

Documents:

Alexander Jackson to His Aunt, October 7, 1864