Charles Alexander was born around 1835 in Virginia to Nathaniel and Sarah Alexander. His father was a farmer who owned $20,120 of real estate in 1850. He grew up and attended school in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. He married Sallie R. Latta in Granville County, North Carolina, on January 6, 1857, and they had at least four children: William, born around 1859; Ella, born around 1860; Charles, born around 1862; and James, born around 1865. They lived in Mecklenburg County, and Alexander worked as a farmer. By 1860, he owned $12,000 of real estate and $28,000 of personal property.

 

He enlisted in the Confederate army on March 10, 1862, and mustered in as a private in Company I of the 38^th Virginia Infantry later that day. One month later, he was promoted to 2^nd lieutenant in Company A of the 1^st Virginia Infantry Battalion. The regiment took part in the Seven Days’ Battles, the Second Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Antietam, and the Battle of Fredericksburg, and he eventually earned a promotion to 1^st lieutenant. He was wounded in August 1862 and again in August 1863, but he eventually recovered and rejoined the regiment. He fell ill with chronic diarrhea in April 1864 but recovered two weeks later. He remained in the army until at least February 1865.

 

Alexander returned to Mecklenburg County after the war and resumed his work as a farmer. By 1870, he owned $9,000 of real estate and $2,000 of personal property. His wife may have died sometime in the 1860s. He became a county court judge in the 1870s. He married Mary Cogbill on December 9, 1890, and their son Nathaniel was born around 1893. Mary died around 1897. By 1900, Alexander was working as a lawyer in Boydton, Virginia. He died there on May 7, 1913.

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