This is a waist-up view of Lieutenant Robeson. He is wearing a dark colored civilian frock coat and vest, white shirt and cravat. His cheeks have been tinted pink by the photographer. Image is clear with very good contrast. Some very light oxidation has occurred.

Image comes housed in full pressed paper case, which is in very good condition. Shows light wear at spine and edges. Case has gold embossing on interior edges and is lined in red velvet which has an embossed design. Decorative brass mat surrounds the image.

Alexander Lewden Robeson was born on February 5, 1834, in Newport, Delaware. He married Martha Pierson Reeves on September 24, 1854, in Bridgeton, New Jersey. They had three children during their marriage. Robeson worked in the lumber and hardware business, and formed a business connection with James L. Whitaker, under the firm-name of Robeson & Whitaker, who together established a large wholesale and retail drug- and stationery-store. While on the threshold of commercial prosperity, the patriotic ardor of Mr. Robeson was thoroughly aroused by the appeal of the country for additional troops during the war, and, severing both business and social ties, he resolved to tender his services for the conflict. Having announced his intention of forming a company of volunteers, he associated with him James J. Reeves, Esq., his brother-in-law, whose office was opened for recruiting purposes. The rapid enrollment of this company, which was formed in thirty-six hours, and many of the members of which were from the iron-works and other manufacturing establishments of the city, was largely due to the great personal popularity of Lieut. Robeson. Robeson enlisted on September, 2, 1862 as a 1st Lieutenant. On September 16, 1862 he was commissioned into Co. “H”, NJ 24th Infantry.

The military career of this gallant officer was of short duration. The 24th New Jersey, to which his company belonged, was early called into the conflict, and being brigaded with several other regiments under the charge of Brig.-Gen. Kimball, French’s division, Second Corps, was the first to make the attack upon the batteries and rifle-pits of the enemy in the rear of Fredericksburg on the eventful 13th of December, 1862. The firing of the enemy ceased at nightfall, and not until then could assistance be afforded or any attempt made to ascertain the number of the dead. And even then, though the night was spent in diligent search for friends supposed to be among the wounded or slain, many remained from whom no tidings could be obtained, and of them it could only be said that they were "missing." Among those thus recorded was Lieut. Robeson. Having the charge of his company in the captain’s absence, he bravely led them forward never to return. Though a faithful and oft-repeated search was made for him no tidings were received, nor has any positive intelligence since been transmitted concerning him. The members of his company loved him as a brother, and his men were equally dear to him. He looked faithfully after their wants and sympathized with them unfailingly in all their sufferings. He was especially endeared to his fellow-officers, who esteemed him for his intelligence and excellent judgment, and loved him for his virtues and exemplary Christian character.

Robeson was killed at the age of 28. Though his body was never recovered, a memorial was placed to honor him at the Old Broad Street Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Bridgeton, New Jersey. The local chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was also named in honor of him. Inscription on monument reads, “IN MEMORY OF ALEXANDER L. ROBESON. BORN FEBRUARY 5 TH 1834. FELL IN BATTLE AT FREDERICKSBURG, VA DECEMBER 13TH 1862. FOR WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN. EVEN SO THEM ALSO WHICH SLEEPING JESUS WILL GOD BRINGS WITH HIM– 1. THESS IV-14”.  [SL]

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