Lieutenant Alexander D. Bailie was a member of the 23rd Pennsylvania Colored Infantry and the 65th US Colored Infantry. Born in Pennsylvania, he was a dedicated Union solider who rose to serve as a captain. He was seen as a well respected black leader by many in the military, and was also a writer.

During the Civil War, he was injured in a battle in Virginia and sustained life altering wounds (many of which were on his face), as a result he would experience great stigma through the rest of his days.

In 1890, he committee suicide in a Chicago hotel. He was then buried in Oak Woods Cemetery. He lies in a soldiers grave a few yards from the “Lincoln at Gettysburg” monument.

On the right you will see two obituaries describing his life. Click on them to enlarge the text.

Below you will find published stories he wrote during his lifetime as well as letters written by him while in service.