172 
On arrival at the Cape, finding the war with the Caffres already 
commenced, and the time accordingly unfavourable for explorations, 
he joined the troops in the field under Sir Benjamin D’Urban, by 
whom he was appointed aide-de-camp. At the conclusion of the 
war, Sir James Alexander resumed his mission of exploration, and 
proceeded into the interior, accompanied only by seven men — 
encountering successfully the dangers, difficulties, and hardships to 
which at that time travellers in South Africa were subjected. In 
one year he accomplished 4000 miles, and completed a full re- 
port of the countries of the great Hamaquas, Boshmans, and Hill 
Damaras. 
On returning to England, Sir James E. Alexander received the 
honour of knighthood for his services in Africa, being the first 
knight created by the Queen in person after Her Majesty’s 
accession. His African duties had obliged him to go temporarily 
on half pay; but he returned shortly to full pay as a captain in the 
14th Regiment, then serving in Horth America. There he was 
asked to undertake and accepted the arduous duty of exploring 
and surveying in the construction of a military road through the 
forests of Hew Brunswick and Canada from Quebec to Halifax, 
acting as assistant royal engineer on this most trying service 
during 1844-45. He received no promotion or reward, beyond a 
slight addition to pay while so engaged, for this arduous service 
which he had been invited to undertake. 
On Sir Benjamin D’Urban being appointed commander of the 
forces in Canada, he immediately reappointed Sir James as his 
aide-de-camp, a post he retained until Sir Benjamin’s death in 
Montreal. Sir William Rowen succeeding to the command, he was 
again offered the aide-de-cam pship, and served on the staff of that 
distinguished officer for 5J years. He rejoined his regiment as 
major on the breaking out of the Crimean war, shortly became 
lieut. -colonel, and succeeded to its command during the siege of 
Sebastopol, at the fall of which stronghold he was present. 
During this time of scarcity and hardship, his regiment w r as 
notorious for the beneficial arrangements for their supply and com- 
fort that his previous experience on active service had enabled him 
to make for the comfort and welfare of his men. 
Sir James Alexander was next appointed to the command of a 
