- Russell Alexander Alger, Union Major General, 2 nd , 5 th , 6 th Michigan Cavalry, Governor of Michigan, U.S. Secretary of War - THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR [SIGNED] by Alger, R. A. (Russell Alexander), 1836-1907, New York: Harper and Brothers Publishers, 1901. Hardcover. Octavo; G; Hardcover; Spine, blue with gold print; Boards in blue cloth with gold print, wear to spine caps and corners, blotchy fading to front and rear, warping to rear; Text block has gilt top edge, deckle edges, tanning to endpapers, cracking front hinge, tear to one edge of tipped-in folded map, else clean and tight; Inscribed in ink by the author on the front flyleaf; vi, 465 pages, frontispiece (port.), illustrated (b and w maps). From Wikipedia: Alger enlisted as a private soldier in the American Civil War on September 2, 1861. He was commissioned and served as a captain and major in the 2nd Michigan Cavalry Regiment. In three years, he served in 66 different battles and skirmishes. On July 1, 1862, at the Battle of Booneville, Alger attacked the enemys rear with ninety men. He was wounded and taken prisoner, but escaped the same day. The Confederate forces were soundly defeated. On October 16, he was made lieutenant colonel of the 6th Michigan Cavalry. On February 28, 1863, he was promoted to colonel of the 5th Michigan Cavalry. His command was the first to enter Gettysburg on June 28. Alger was personally mentioned in the report of General George Armstrong Custer on cavalry operations there. Alger was considered a military strategist and surveyed Union supplies with President Lincoln. Alger participated in General Sheridan's Valley Campaigns of 1864 in Virginia. On June 11, 1864, at Trevilian Station, he captured a large force of Confederates with a brilliant cavalry charge. On July 8, 1864, Alger was severely wounded pursuing the enemy at Boonesborough, Maryland. Alger resigned from the army on September 20, 1864. [5] On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Alger for the award of the grade of brevet brigadier general of volunteers to rank from June 11, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the award on March 12, 1866. On February 28, 1867, President Johnson nominated Alger for the award of the grade of brevet major general of volunteers to rank from June 11, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the award on March 2, 1867. In 1868, he was elected the first commander of the Michigan department of the Grand Army of the Republic. In 1889, he became the Grand Armys National Commander-in-Chief. He was also a member of the Michigan Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.