Alexander Brevard first joined the army as a cadet.  He then received the commission of Lieutenant, and soon afterward that of Captain in the Continental Army.  He was engaged in the battles of White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Monmouth, and Germanton, and remained in the Northern Army under General Washington until some time in the year 1779, when, his health failing, he was sent into the country.  After a short absence he reported himself for service to Gen. Washington.  This illustrious and humane commander, seeing his slender figure and delicate appearance, remarked that he was unfit for hard service, and enquired of him where his parents lived.  The reply was, in North Carolina.  Gen. Washington then advised him to return home.  With this advice he complied, and his health, in the meantime, having improved in the genial climate of Western North Carolina, he immediately joined the Southern Army under General Gates.  Being a Captain in the regular service, and removed from his command, he was appointed quartermaster, and acted as such at the battle of Camden.  After the defeat of Gen. Gates, the Southern Army was placed under the command of Gen. Greene.  Alexander Brevard was with this gallant commander in all his battles; so that, with little interruption, he was in active service from the beginning to the end of the war.  He thought his hardest fighting was at the Eutaw Springs.  He was there in command of his company, and in the hottest part of the fight, losing eighteen of his brave men.  At one time he and his company were in a very critical situation.  A division of the British army came very unexpectedly upon their rear while they were closely engaged in front; but, just at that moment, Col.  Washington, perceiving their imminent danger, made an impetuous charge with his cavalry upon this division of the enemy.  A portion of his men broke through, and formed again with the intention of renewing the charge.  This was prevented by the retreat of the British into a position where it was impossible for the cavalry to pursue them.

Colonel Washington was unhorsed and made a prisoner, but succeeded with his brave men in preventing the meditated attack in the rear.  Brevard had not observed this division of the enemy, and the first thing he saw was the flying caps and tumbling horses of the cavalry as they made their dashing charge upon them.  This was the last important battle in which Capt.  Brevard was engaged, fought on the 8th of September, 1781, and near the close of the war.  On all occasions he maintained an unflagging zeal and promptitude of action in achieving the independence of his country, and evincing a persistent bravery unsurpassed in the annals of the American Revolution.