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Scott (THOMAS ALEXANDER an American)

THOMAS ALEXANDER, an American railroad manager; born in Loudon, Pa., Dec. 28, 1824; became connected with the Pennsylvania railroad in 1850; was made its general superintendent in 1858, and its vice-president in the following year. When the Civil War broke out he was placed on the staff of Gov.

Andrew G. Curtin of Pennsylvania, and had charge of the sending of volunteers to the front. In April, 1861, the Secretary of War requested him to build a railroad branch from Philadelphia to Washington, which he did in a surprisingly short time; in May, 1861, he was commissioned a colonel of volunteers and placed in command of all government telegraphs and railroads. On Aug. 1 of the same year he was appointed assistant Secretary of War. He resigned this post in June, 1862, to give his time wholly to railroad management; but re-entered the service of the government in September, 1863, and directed the movement of two army corps to Chattanooga to relieve Gen. William S. Rosecrans. He was president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 1874-1880. In the latter year he was forced to resign by ill health. He died in Darby, Pa., May 21, 1881.

SCOTT