SHALER, Alexander, soldier, born in Haddam, Connecticut, 19 March, 1827. He was educated in private schools, entered the New York militia as a private in 1845, and became major of the 7th New York regiment, 13 December, 1860. He was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 65th New York volunteers in June, 1861, became colonel, 17 July, 1862, and commanded the military prison at Johnson's island, Ohio, during tile winter of 1863-'4. He served with the Army of the Potomac, participating in all its battles, until 6 May, 1864, when he was taken prisoner at the battle of the Wilderness, and was held in Charleston, South Carolina, during the summer of that year. After his exchange, he commanded a division in the 7th corps and the post of Duval's Bluffs, Arkansas, serving in the southwest until he was mustered out on 24 August, 1865. He was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers on 26 May, 1863, and brevetted major-general of volunteers on 27 July, 1865. From 1867 till 1870 he was president of the board of commissioners of the Metropolitan fire department, arid commissioner of the fire department of New York city in 1870-'3. He was consulting engineer to the Chicago board of police and fire in 1874-'5, being charged with the reorganization and instruction of the fire department in that city. From 1867 till 1886 he was major-general of the 1st division of the national guard of New York, and was an organizer and president of the National rifle association of the United States. While a member of the board for the purchase of sites for armories, he was accused of bribery; but, although he was tried twice, the jury disagreed. General Shaler published a "Manual of Arms for Light Infantry using the Rifle Musket" (New York, 1861).