Class of 1811

Alexander John Williams: Born Oct. 10, 1790, Philadelphia, PA.

Military History. — Cadet of the Military Academy, May 15, 1805, to Mar. 1, 1811, when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to

Second Lieut., Corps of Engineers, Mar. 1, 1811.

Served: at West Point, N. Y., 1811‑12; and in the War of 1812‑15

(First Lieut., Corps of Engineers, July 1, 1812)

(Captain, 2d Artillery, Mar. 17, 1813)

with Great Britain, in command of Ft. Mifflin, Pa., 1812‑14, — and in the Campaign of 1814 on the Niagara Frontier, being engaged in the Defense of Ft. Erie, U. C., where, in a hand-to‑hand encounter, while repulsing the enemy's fourth desperate assault upon the bastion of the work, he was

Killed, Aug. 15, 1814: Aged 24.

Buried, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, NY.

 p94  Biographical Sketch.

Captain Alexander John Williams was the oldest son of Colonel Jonathan Williams, the first Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army. He was born Oct. 10, 1790, in Philadelphia, Pa.; entered the Military Academy, as a Cadet, July 9, 1806, and was graduated from that institution, and promoted, Mar. 1, 1811, to be a Second Lieutenant of Engineers. He continued on duty at West Point till 1812, when he was ordered to superintend the construction of Ft. Mifflin, Pa., and while there was promoted, July 1, 1812, to a First Lieutenancy. Believing that he would see more active service and be more rapidly advanced in the Artillery, during the war now declared against Great Britain, he asked for a transfer to that corps, in which he was commissioned a Captain, Mar. 17, 1813. His residence of over a year on the lowlands of the Delaware River, at this time, had brought on a dangerous fever, yet, so anxious was he to share the honors and perils of the campaign of 1814, that, before he was convalescent, he applied to be ordered to the Niagara army, which he joined in time to take part in the Defense of Ft. Erie. Here his abilities were so conspicuous that he was selected for the important command of the old work before the assault was made upon it. Thrice, on the morning of Aug. 15, 1814, had he repulsed the enemy, and, when a fourth desperate assault was being made upon the bastion of the fort, he perceived a lighted port fire in front of the enemy, enabling them to direct their fire with great precision. Instantly he sprang forward, cut it off with his sword, and in the act fell mortally wounded, — thus nobly sacrificing himself to save his men. So perished this gallant and accomplished officer, not twenty-four years old, sincerely lamented by his friends for his private worth, and deeply regretted by the whole army, with which he was a favorite. Though ambitious of distinction, he was perfectly unassuming; with laudable spirit, he was indefatigable in the discharge of every duty; and, by his intelligence, zeal, and exemplary deportment, won the esteem and applause, not only his subordinates, but of every superior in command.