William Alexander

William Alexander known as Lord Stirling , 1726-83, American Revolutionary general, b. New York City. Although the House of Lords rejected his claim to succeed as the 6th earl of Stirling, in America he was generally considered a nobleman. He served in the French and Indian Wars and joined the Continental Army early in the Revolution. Although he fought well at the battle of Long Island (1776), he was captured by the British. After being freed in a prisoner exchange, he saw action at Trenton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. In 1778 he helped to expose the Conway Cabal .

Bibliography: See A. C. Valentine, Lord Stirling (1969).

Alexander, William (1726–83) Revolutionary army officer, born in New York City. Alexander prepared New York City for a threatened British assault until George Washington came down from Boston to take command. His relations with Washington were warm and his war experience varied and useful, though not exceptional. He was taken prisoner at New York (1776) but released; he fought at White Plains and Trenton (1776); he was promoted to major general, fought under Washington at Brandywine and Germantown (both 1777), and encamped at Valley Forge (1777–78).