Alanson M. Randol

Biography

Alanson Merwin Randol was born on October 23, 1837, in Newburgh, New York, into a Methodist family that valued education and public service. His father, Alanson Sr., worked as an overseer at the United States Assay Office in New York, while his mother Mary Butterworth provided the nurturing environment that would shape young Alanson's character. Tragedy struck early when his mother died in 1846, leaving eight-year-old Alanson to be raised by his father and stepmother. Despite this loss, or perhaps because of it, Randol developed the resilience and discipline that would serve him throughout his military career. His education at the Redding Institute, a private Christian boarding school in Connecticut, prepared him for the rigorous academic challenges ahead.

In 1855, at age 17, Randol secured an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point through the recommendation of New York State Judge Advocate General Elijah Ward. Graduating ninth in the Class of 1860 with 41 cadets, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Artillery just as the nation was sliding toward civil war. His timing proved fortuitous, as his West Point education and artillery training would soon be tested in the crucible of America's greatest conflict. When the Civil War erupted, Randol quickly distinguished himself as one of the Union Army's most capable artillery officers, serving with distinction in nearly every major battle of the Eastern Theater.

Randol's Civil War service exemplified the citizen-soldier ideal, combining professional military competence with moral commitment to the Union cause. Rising from second lieutenant to brevet brigadier general through gallant service at battles including Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, he commanded the famous Batteries E & G of the 1st U.S. Artillery as part of the elite Horse Artillery Brigade. In December 1864, demonstrating his versatility, he accepted command of the 2nd New York Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, leading it through the final campaigns that culminated in Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House. His firsthand account of those climactic days, 'Last Days of the Rebellion,' provides one of the most vivid and authentic records of the war's conclusion, written by a participant who understood both the military significance and human drama of those historic moments.

Major Works & Series

Literary Significance & Legacy

Alanson M. Randol occupies a unique position in Civil War literature as both participant and chronicler, offering perspectives unavailable to civilian historians or postwar writers. His military expertise, combined with his West Point education and firsthand experience in major battles, gives his writing unmatched authority on artillery tactics and cavalry operations during the war's critical final phase. 'Last Days of the Rebellion' stands as one of the finest examples of soldier-written military history, demonstrating how professional officers could transform battlefield experience into compelling narrative while maintaining historical accuracy and tactical insight.

Randol's contribution to Civil War historiography extends beyond mere battlefield reporting to encompass the broader themes of citizen-soldier service and American military professionalism. His career trajectory from artillery officer to cavalry commander illustrates the adaptability required of Civil War officers, while his postwar writings helped establish the tradition of soldier-historians who could interpret military events for civilian audiences. His work influenced later military historians and memoir writers by demonstrating how personal experience could be transformed into historical literature that serves both educational and commemorative purposes, preserving the memory of those who served while providing tactical and strategic insights for future military professionals.

Best Starting Points

• Last Days of the Rebellion
  Essential reading for understanding both Randol's military expertise and the dramatic conclusion of the Civil War. This eyewitness account provides unparalleled insight into the cavalry actions that helped force Lee's surrender, written by the officer who commanded the 2nd New York Cavalry during these historic events.
• From January, 1862, to August, 1864
  Explore Randol's detailed account of his artillery service during the war's most crucial battles. This contribution to the official history of the 1st U.S. Artillery offers technical insights into Civil War artillery tactics and the evolution of the Union Army's effectiveness.

Famous Characters

• Colonel Alanson M. Randol
  The author himself, portrayed as a dedicated professional officer who embodied the Union Army's evolution from amateur force to professional military
• General George A. Custer
  Randol's division commander during the final campaigns, depicted as a bold and energetic leader during the pursuit of Lee's army
• The Men of the 2nd New York Cavalry
  The volunteer soldiers under Randol's command, representing the citizen-soldiers who carried the Union to victory
• General Robert E. Lee
  The Confederate commander whose surrender Randol witnessed, portrayed with the respect one professional soldier accorded another