Alexander Barham

**Alexander Barham** (March 31, 1829 – July 27, 1902) served as a saddler in Company K, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry.

## Personal life

Alexander Barham was born March 31, 1829 in Greene County, Tennessee to Harbard and Martha (Thomasson) Barham. He married first Loucinda White (1818-1889) with whom he had at least five children. He married second Alice [last name unknown] (b. 1859); they had no children.

## Civil War service

Barham was conscripted by the Confederate Army as a private in Company I, 29th Tennessee Infantry on January 27, 1863 at Knoxville, Tennessee for the duration of the war. He deserted in March 1863, but was captured on March 31 and confined to a guard house for an unknown period. He is listed as present by July 1, 1863. Barham deserted again on September 7, 1863 near Chattanooga, Tennessee. He surrendered himself behind Union Army lines on September 11, 1863 near Chattanooga, was paroled at Stevenson, Alabama on September 12, 1863, and ordered to be released in Louisville, Kentucky. Barham’s prisoner of war records note that he had taken the Oath of Allegiance to the United States when he was confined at the Military Prison for deserters in Louisville on September 19, 1863; a condition of his release was that he had to remain north of the Ohio River. On September 27, 1863, Barham was released from the Military Prison at Louisville.

His Oath of Allegiance describes him as being 5’ 10” tall, with dark complexion, black eyes, and black hair.

Despite his oath to remain north of the Ohio River, Barham next enlisted as a private in Company K, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry on September 22, 1863 in Louisville for a period of three years and mustered in January 26, 1864 at Nashville, Tennessee. He was appointed wagoner before March 1864 and appointed saddler on April 14, 1864.

He is described as 36 years old, 6' tall, fair complexion, gray eyes, dark hair, and by occupation a farmer.

Barham is listed as present for duty for which muster rolls have survived.

Barham mustered out with the regiment on September 5, 1865 at Knoxville. It was noted that he had last been paid to August 31, 1864, owed $28.63 to the government for clothing, had received a $25 bounty, and was owed a $75 bounty. He purchased one “revolving rifle” from the regiment’s stores for $10 under General Order No. 101.

## Post-war life

Barham applied for an invalid’s pension on April 28, 1886 and it was increased to $17 a month in 1901. He died July 27, 1902 in Greene County, Tennessee and is buried at Mount Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery in Afton, Tennessee. His wife applied for a widow's pension on January 28, 1903.

## Notes

1. ↑ 1870 U.S. Census, 20th Civil District, Greene County, Tennessee; 1880 U.S. Census, 20th Civil District, Greene County, Tennessee.
2. ↑ 1900 U.S. Census, 20th Civil District, Greene County, Tennessee.
3. ↑ The muster roll record for May/June 1863 is missing from his file.
4. ↑ Another record states that he was 5' 10" tall, with light complexion, blue eyes, and black hair.
5. ↑ His surname on the muster rolls is spelled Byram, Barrom, and Borrom.
6. ↑ ’’Knoxville Sentinel’’, July 5, 1901, p. 3, c. 1.