Alexander M. Lee was born in Russell County, Virginia February 16, 1833 and died in Russell County, Virginia in January 11, 1894. His parents were James Lee and Chloe Fraley Lee of Russell County, Virginia. His father James Lee had three wives and three families. Chloe Fraley Lee was his third wife and all five of her sons served in the Confederate army. Chloe Fraley Lee was the daughter of William Fraley and the granddaughter of Frederick Fraley. Frederick was a compatriot of Daniel Boone and served under him at Moor’s Fort during the Revolutionary War. Alexander M. Lee’s father, James Lee migrated to Russell County, Virginian about 1790. He came from Halifax County, Virginia but took his Revolutionary War land grant in Georgia before coming to Russell County, Virginia.

Alexander M. Lee married Eliza T. Smith October 23, 1856 in Russell County, Virginia. In 1860 they were living in Lebanon, Russell County, Virginia. After the death of A. M. Lee’s brother, Martin Lee, he and Eliza reared Martin’s younger son David. Later David changed his name to David Cook and joined Sid Cook as a partisan ranger in Eastern Kentucky.

In 1861 Russell County was very supportive of Virginia and voted for secession on the second secession vote. Immediately four companies were raised and joined the 37th Virginia Infantry. After the Fort Sumter problem the Russell county guard helped form the 48th Virginia Infantry. Three Lee brothers were charter members of the Russell County Guard of the 48th Virginia Infantry. These three Lee brothers were Alexander M. Lee, William E. Lee and Tevis P. Lee. All three brothers served with distinction until either wounded or killed in action.

Alexander M. Lee was promoted to first sergeant of his company and all went well until he was wounded at second Manassas. His wounds healed, but he was unable to keep up with Stonewall Jackson’s foot cavalry and he applied for a transfer to the Cavalry.

Alexander M. Lee became the Quartermaster sergeant of the 10th Kentucky Cavalry and served until the end of the war. He served with his brother in law and best friend Captain Albert G. Smith, who was his wife’s older brother.

Alexander M. Lee served under John Hunt Morgan and went on the last Kentucky raid with Morgan. He was serving under John Hunt Morgan when he was killed in East Tennessee.

When the Civil War ended the 10th Kentucky Cavalry did not have an official surrender at Cumberland Gap like the 25th Virginia Cavary and the 64th Virginia Infantry. They were just disbanded and each man went home.

After the Civil War had been over for about three months, a Union officer and several men showed up at Alexander M. Lee’s farm in Russell County, Virginia and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. He could either go to Charleston, WVA and take the oath or be hung on his own farm.

On June 21, 1865 in Charleston, West Virginia, Alexander M. Lee took the oath of allegiance to the United Sates Government and was paroled and allowed to return home. He was 33 years old 5ft, 11 inches tall, fair completion, blue eyes, and amber hair with red whiskers. I have a copy of the oath he signed and I am very proud of it. I know of no one who took the oath after June 21, 1865.

After the War had been over for a few years, Virginia began to honor its Confederate veterans. Alexander M. Lee was considered to be quite a hero in his community because he had worked hard to stay in the fight even after he was wounded. There was a Virginia militia formed after the war and Alexander M. Lee became a colonel in the Virginia Militia.

Alexander M. Lee is buried in the Lee Family Cemetery, Castlewood, Russell County,Virginia. On his tombstone it says "Colonel A. M. Lee". He was buried with honors like a confederate officer. In 1998 Grady K. Lee installed a VA stone behind his original Civil War tombstone. This cemetery contains 11 VA stones (three Revolutionary War and nine Confederate). Alexander M Lee has the best looking stone I have ever seen and I am very proud to be known as his great grandson.

Respectfully Submitted,

Grady K. Lee



My sincere thanks to SCV Commander Grady K. Lee, Jr. of the Pvt. Calvin Unthank
Camp # 1787 in Harlan, KY, who so graciously provided me with this information.

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