Royal Naval Biography/Alexander, Nicholas
NICHOLAS ALEXANDER, Esq.
[Commander.]
Brother to the late Captain Thomas Alexander, C.B., who died at Rangoon, during the operations against Ava, in Nov. 1825.
This officer was a midshipman on board the Desirée frigate. Captain Henry Inman, at the battle of Copenhagen, April 2d, 1801; and obtained the rank of lieutenant May 18th, 1806. His subsequent services are thus briefly stated in a memorial addressed to the Admiralty, Feb. 3d, 1815:
“He has been twice badly wounded on boat service. He was at the capture of Flushing, attached to the flag-ship of Sir Richard J. Strachan, and served under him as a lieutenant for three years. He suffered severely from the Walcheren fever, and is still labouring under its effects. He was employed in the different attacks made on the American flotilla, towns, store-houses, &c. &c. in the months of April and May, 1813, in the Chesapeake, on which service he was the senior lieutenant. For his conduct on these occasions he received the public thanks of Rear-Admiral Cockburn. He was the senior lieutenant commanding a division of boats in the different attacks made on the Baltimore flotilla in the Patuxent, under the orders of Captain Robert Barrie. He was employed on shore at Parker’s Point, in the Chesapeake, in command of the advance, consisting of only 38 marines and a few seamen, when charged by 120 of the United States’ regular cavalry, supported by 600 infantry with field-pieces: he succeeded in dismounting twenty, killing two, wounding several, and taking two prisoners, without any loss to the party he had the honor of commanding. He was personally engaged with one of the cavalry, whom he wounded and disarmed; for which service he received the approbation of the rear-admiral. He commanded a division of boats at the attacks of forts Peter and St. Mary’s, as senior lieutenant. He is at present employed at Cumnberland Island. He has lost two brothers in the military service of his country, &c. &c.
(Signed)“Nicholas Alexander, first lieutenant
H.M.S. Dragon.”
Lieutenant Alexander’s memorial was backed by a letter to the following effect:
“Dragon, Chesapeake, Feb. 4th, 1815.
“Sir,– I have received your letter of yesterday’s date, and will have much pleasure in forwarding your memorial through the commander-in-chief; at the same time testifying my full approbation of your general and private conduct while serving under my command; also of your having been always a cheerful volunteer whenever service of danger has presented itself.
(Signed)“Robert Barrie, Captain of H.M.S. Dragon,
and senior officer.”
Lieutenant Alexander obtained the rank of commander on the 13th June, 1815; and married, in the same year, Susannah, daughter of Mr. William Legrand, of Cork.