Thomas Tyler Alexander
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
Deeper Introduction
Thomas Tyler Alexander's birthday and day of death are unknown, though it is known that he was a 19th-century British writer and traveler, known mainly for his historical essays. He wasn't a soldier or military historian, but his The Battle of Waterloo: As Viewed From the Battlefield in 1877 captures his style of reflective writing.
Broad Explanation
Alexander's The Battle of Waterloo: As Viewed From the Battlefield in 1877 is a blend of travel writing and historical commentary. In his work, he documents his personal visit to the battlefield and the monuments, and depicts the crucial moments of the battle through site-based reflections, which resulted from his personal visit to the Waterloo battlefield.
Specific Arguments
While Alexander doesn't present any specific arguments regarding military decisions, he does emphasize the battlefield's symbolic and emotional weight. He does argue that the field should remain as evidence of the final blow to Napoleon's empire, as well as a witness to the Allied soldiers' bravery.
My Analysis
Alexander wrote in an observational style, with a mix of emotional rhetoric by bringing in aspects of the battlefield from his personal visit. He did a great job of giving a sense of importance to the Waterloo battlefield and the implications that the battle had on society.
Citation
Alexander, Thomas Tyler. The Battle of Waterloo : As Viewed from the Battlefield in 1877. St. Paul: H. M. Smyth Print. Co., 1886. https://www.loc.gov/resource/gdcmassbookdig.battleofwaterloo00alex/?sp=3&st=pdf&r=-0.395%2C0.424%2C1.804%2C1.804%2C0&pdfPage=1.