Major John Alexander McFarlane

This file submitted by Michael Dye
John Alexander McFarlane was born 04 Nov 1828 in Russell County, Virgina, the son of Alexander McFarlane & Mary Alexander. In the spring of 1862, during the Civil War, John McFarlane raised an independant cavalry company. On 07 Apr he was elected 1st Lieutenant and on 04 Sep 1862 he was promoted to Captain. His company was apparently very popular and had an extemely low desertion rate. By late 1862 the command had grown so large that that is was divided into two separate companies, the second company being commanded by fellow Russell Countain, Captain Robert C. Boyd. The unit served for a while in late 1862 with the 27th Btn. Va Cav. and then was assigned to Jessee's Btn. Ky Mounted Rifles. The combined unit was redignated the 6th Conf. Cav, Btn. McFarlane's men served with that unit until April 1864 when it petitioned to be assigned to a Virginia unit. The petition was granted and the men were assigned to the 34th Btn. Va. Cav. McFarlane was promoted to Major of the 34th on 28 Jul 1864 where he served in that capacity until wars end.

John McFarlane married Louisa Ann Hurt b: 02 oct 1851 and they had 6 children: 1) William Alexander McFarlane 2) James Albert McFarlane 3) Mary Elizabeth McFarlane 4) George Edgar McFarlane 5) John David McFarlane 6) Carl Hopkins McFarlane. John McFarlane died 11 Oct 1887 and Louisa 10 Aug 1940. Both are buried in the McFarlane Cemetery near Rosedale, Russell Co., VA.

See also the McFarlane Cemetery

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