Alexander received education in a private boarding school and entered military service as non-commissioned officer in 1841.

From 1869 to 1871 he was in charge of the Russian Leib Guard horse regiments and four years later from 27 July 1875 to 30 August 1885 he would be commanding the 8th Cavalry Division, and be elevated to the rank of lieutenant general in 1876.

During the Russo-Turkish War he led his division as vanguard of the 12th Army Corps and advanced through Iași and Bucharest towards the Danube river in order to establish a 60 kilometer line along its riverbed.

Manvelov and his division participated in numerous successful military operations in Bulgaria and then joined the war efforts in Turkey proper.

In 1885 the prince was promoted to General of the cavalry, one of the highest military ranks at that time and retired as commander in the reserve forces.