Military Service
In
1773, at the age of eighteen, Alexander left Scotland for the colonies and probably
arrived in Philadelphia. The military records state that he was twenty years
of age and five feet one ½ inches tall. It states “planter from Scotland,
entertained in Stafford.” 
On May 3, 1777, Alexander
enlisted in the Virginia Militia. His place of residence during the 
Revolutionary
War was Fincastle or Washington County, Virginia. He served in a company that
is variously designated as Captain John Lewis’ Company and Captain Machen
Boswell’s Company. This company was part of the Second Virginia State
Regiment that was under the command of Colonel Gregory Smith. Alexander’s
name was reflected on the company payroll through December 9, 1778. Thus, he
served in the Continental Army for a little more than one and one half years.
See DAR National No. 383890.
2ND VIRGINIA STATE
DIVISION: FIFTH
BRIGADE: 1ST VA
HISTORY: ENTERED VALLEY FORGE MAY 1778 WITH 402 MAN ASSIGNED,
396 FIT FOR DUTY, LEFT VALLEY FORGE WITH 401 MAN ASSIGNED 299 FIT FOR DUTY,
2ND VA STATE REPLACED 13VA.
| Staff Officers | |
| Colonel | GREGORY SMITH |
| Lt. Colonel | CHARLES DABNEY |
| Lt. Colonel | WILLIAM BRENT |
| Major | JOHN LEE |
| Company Officers | |
| Captain | PETER BERNARD |
| Captain | JOHN LEWIS |
| Captain | HARRY DUDLEY |
| Captain | HENRY GARNETT |
| Captain | THOMAS BRESSIC |
| Captain | JAMES QUARLES |
| Captain | BENJAMIN SPILLER |
| Captain | PHIL TALIAFERRO |
| Staff Officers | |
| Chaplain |
|
| Quartermaster | THOMAS COLLIE |
| Adjutant | SAMUEL CAREY |
| Paymaster | |
| Surgeon | |
| Surgeon Mate | LODOWICK BRODIE |
| Quartermaster Sergeant | THOMAS GLOVER |
| Sergeant Major | THOMAS GARDNER |
| Drum Major | JAMES TAYLOR |
| Fife Major | SIMON HARRISON |
Gregory Smith was commissioned Captain in Seventh Virginia Regiment, February 7, 1776, and resigned 28th November, 1776. He was made Colonel of the Second Virginia Regiment from 1777 to 1778. Machen Boswell was commissioned First Lieutenant Second Virginia Regiment, 6th October, 1777, and was promoted Captain 15th September, 1778, and served to February, 1781. Captain Machen Boswell's Company 2nd Virginia State Regiment, commanded by Colonel Gregory Smith. John was stationed at Camp Middlebrook, New Jersey from September 1778 to February 1779. Machen Boswell's Company of the 2nd Virginia State Reg., was commanded successively by Colonel William Brent and Colonel Gregory Smith, under General Morgan.
See Second Virginia Regiment Organization.