Soldier of Tennessee

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General Alexander P. Stewart (1821-1908) has received limited attention from historians. This biography by Sam Davis Elliott illuminates Stewart's significant contributions, offering the first comprehensive analysis of his pivotal role in the Civil War's western theater. A West Point graduate, Stewart served in the Army of Tennessee from its inception in 1861 until its surrender in April 1865, participating in nearly all the army's battles, including Belmont, Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, New Hope Church, and the Atlanta campaign. He rose from major to lieutenant general, earning the nickname "Old Straight" for his steadfastness in battle. Following General Leonidas Polk's death near Marietta, Georgia, Stewart took command and led the Army of Tennessee's remnants in their final stand against William Tecumseh Sherman at Bentonville. By the war's end, he was the highest-ranking Confederate officer from Tennessee and remained the last surviving Confederate officer at his death in 1908. This biography not only chronicles Stewart's life but also reflects the triumphs and failures of the Confederate effort in the West, as well as the challenges of reconciliation in a divided nation. Elliott demonstrates that while the Volunteer State had many flamboyant soldiers, none matched Stewart's unwavering dedication.