Alexander P. Stewart

Alexander P. Stewart
 (National Archives)

Name: Alexander Peter Stewart
Allegiance: CSA
Rank: Major General
Age: 41
State of Origin: Tennessee
Command: Stewart's Division, Buckner's Corps, Army of Tennessee

Biography:
Alexander P. Stewart was born in Northeastern Tennessee in Rogersville in 1821, where he and his family lived until Stewart was about ten years old. In 1831, the family relocated to Winchester Tennessee where the family thrived and prospered. Throughout his whole life, Stewart strived to excellence in his academics, his strength being predominantly mathematics. 

In 1838, Stewart received an appointment to West Point, where he roomed with soldiers such as G. Smith, W. Rosecrans, J. Pope, and J. Longstreet, all of whom he would later fight either with or against. (J. Newton and W. Sherman also graduated from West Point the same year). He graduated 12th of 56 in 1842 and then went on to teach mathematics at West Point before resigning his commission in 1845. Stewart became a professor of mathematics at Cumberland University and married Harriet Chase, with the two quickly began a family, resulting in four sons. 

When the serious threat of war began its ascent, Stewart, though opposed to secession and slavery, offered his services to his home state of Tennessee. As a result, Stewart fought in all of the major battles in the west for the duration of the war, including Shiloh, Chickamauga, and finishing in the Nashville and Carolina Campaigns, where he was present in the surrender to Sherman in April of 1865. 

One of Stewart’s most difficult battles, for hard fighting and intense casualties, came at the Battle of Chickamauga in September, 1863. His men broke through the Union line briefly on the 19th, but were quickly pushed back. On the 20th, under the command of Longstreet, Stewart and his men attempted to push against the Federals across Poe Field, a crushing disaster that increased his casualty numbers. Later on in the day, his men provided a key rotating point for Longstreet’s attack as they turned the Union’s right flank and pushed them to the North. Though Stewart and his men held up well during the Battle of Chickamauga, his casualty lists were extensive, some reports stating a 52% casualty rate during battle. 

His time was spent under generals such as A. Johnston, Bragg, Hood, and J. Johnston as he rose through the ranks. On recommendations related to his fervor, bravery, good leadership capabilities, and his ability to maintain a neutral position during the political fighting that occurred within the command of the Army of Tennessee, he eventually became Lieutenant General. 

“Old Straight,” as Stewart was known by his men, was a leader that was loved and respected. His men were always ready to face a battle bravely because they knew that he would be behind them and would not abandon them. Stewart held all of his men in high priority, viewing them as he would view his pupils at university, and his men loved him for it. 

Stewart’s time after the war saw him return to his family and Cumberland University for a time before taking first a professorship of mathematics (1868) and then the presidency (1874) of the University of Mississippi. Under pressure of changing times and ideals, Stewart stepped down from this position in 1886. The remainder of his life was spent working with the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park in order to educate and maintain the memory of those who fought and died in those battles. 

Due to failing health, even though Stewart held a clear mind after his stroke, Stewart’s son moved him to Biloxi, Mississippi where the weather conditions would help maintain his health as long as possible. Until his death in his home in Biloxi in 1908, Stewart maintained friendships with certain fellow-soldiers and aids, wrote pieces detailing different battles for magazines and news outlets, and held the position of commissioner at the Park. His son and daughter-in-law were with him at his passing, and he was buried with his wife in St.  Louis, Missouri. 

Author: Haley Thistlethwaite, February 26, 2015

Further Reading:
Sam D. Elliot, Soldier of Tennessee: General Alexander P. Stewart and the Civil War in the West. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1999.
Steven E. Woodworth, Six Armies in Tennessee: The Chickamauga and Chattanooga Campaigns. Bison Books, 1999. 
“Lieutenant General Alexander P. ‘Old Straight’ Stewart,” The American Civil War.
“Tennessee’s Highest Ranking Confederate Officer,” Tennessee History Classroom