Two families- one regiment- one company...and a twist

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Jun 20, 2012
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Pacific Northwest
I've posted earlier on my ancestor, Joseph P. Carder of the 19th Indiana; now, I've found an ancestor on my wife's side who was also in the 19th Indiana. In Company K. Who was, in fact, the company commander after Gettysburg- both men were promoted to officer ranks after the battle. So two men who served together, maybe even as the leadership team in the company, are united by the marriage of their descendents a hundred years later...

Not enough of a twist? All right...in this picture, taken after Antietam, there are two NCOs- one is my ancestor. My wife's ancestor enlisted as a corporal...not sure how many corporals would've been in a company at that point, but it's got to be possible that the other NCO is her ancestor...?
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Wow! I remembered your ancestor because I always thought that photo was amazing. Congratulations on the find!
 
Found out some more on Capt. William H. Murray, Co. K, 19th Indiana:
Civil War Union Captain Brevet; he enlisted as a Corporal in Company K, 19th Indiana Infantry on July 29, 1861. This regiment was part of the famed Iron Brigade of the West. This brigade was also known as the "Black Hats Brigade" for the black Hardee hats the soldiers wore as part of their uniform.

He was the son of Cornelius R. Murray, one of the early pioneers of Henry County, Indiana. At the time he enlisted, he was a native of Selma, Indiana. Three of his brothers also enlisted for the Union in the Civil War.

He participated in the Second Battle of Bull Run, and then was wounded at the Battle of South Mountain. After recovering, he took part in the Battle of Fredericksburg. Just after this, he was placed on detached duty on account of his wounds. However, he borrowed a musket and voluntarily returned to his regiment to participate with them in the Battle of Gettysburg. He had been promoted to Sergeant and was serving in that rank on the first day of the battle - July 1, 1863. On the second day of the battle, he was promoted to Full 2nd Lieutenant for "meritorious conduct."

He somehow survived the battle as the men near him fell. During the afternoon of the first day of the battle, Burlington Cunningham, thought to be killed during a charge earlier in the day, returned to carry the flag after having his wound bandaged. He fell with a second wound in his right leg at the same time his friend Abe Buckles was hit in the shoulder by the same volley. The Union and Confederate lines had advanced until both sides were pouring volleys into each other at a distance of no more than 20 paces. Murray later described the fighting: "The slaughter in our ranks now became frightful, beyond description. The dead lay piled up on the ground, and the shrieks and groans of the wounded was too horrible for contemplation."

When the line could not hold, the 19th Indiana fell back to a fence near the 7th Wisconsin. There, Murray witnessed the death of Sgt. Thomas Winset, who was killed instantly when he was shot in the forehead. Murray was standing only two feet away from him at the time.

Whether a Confederate or Black Hat Union soldier, every man at the Battle of Gettysburg would have agreed with Lieutenant Murray when he wrote home, "Oh Maggie, I pray God that I may never witness such another slaughter."

Almost dead with thirst as they retreated into the city of Gettysburg, about a hundred Iron Brigade soldiers crowded around a well to try to quench their raging thirst. He described what happened next: "A shell came bursting into the midst of the crowd; several were killed outright and many were wounded, but the rest scattered like birds from a tree and in ten seconds more not a living soul was there."

After the Battle of Gettysburg, the remaining soldiers of the Iron Brigade marched south into Maryland. On July 5, they turned west and halted on the western slope of South Mountain. They were not far from the enemy when he had another close call. He went foraging with a friend, and saw a house on the other side of a stream. His friend could not swim, so Murray swam across alone, walked boldly into the house and sat down at the table where the family had gathered for dinner. Just a few minutes later, four armed men - either rebel stragglers or guerrillas - sat down at the same table. After a woman gave him some bread and butter, Murray, who was not armed, quickly paid her for the food, "then sprang up suddenly from the door, quick as thought, round the corner of the veranda, and was off for the creek like a shot." The startled rebels ran to their horses to give chase. Murray said "By that time, I was at the creek, and jumped in, and swam and waded across, managing to keep hold of my bread and butter!" The horsemen reached the stream, but hesitated because Federal troops were camped nearby. The rebels turned back and Murray and his friend ran back to camp, "huffing and puffing between bites of fresh bread and butter."

After the Battle of Gettysburg, Murray became Captain of his company. He miraculously lived through many of the toughest battles of the war. Not only did he survive the Battle of Gettysburg, but also the battles at South Mountain, Brawner's Farm (Second Bull Run), Fredericksburg, The Wilderness, Petersburg, and Weldon Railroad.

In May 1864, he was wounded at the Battle of The Wilderness, which resulted in permanent disability in his right leg. After a 60-day furlough with extension, he returned to his regiment in time to participate in the siege at Petersburg, Virginia.

After the successful capture of the Weldon Railroad, he was one of six of Major Orr's officers to leave the 19th Indiana. He was apparently discharged for disability. The bonds among the surviving 19th Indiana soldiers were strong and their brotherhood forever forged. Commenting on the departure of Captain Murray, who was also a personal friend, Major Orr sadly wrote, "Thus one by one the 19th melts away." However, he was comforted by the knowledge that Murray would be safe back in Indiana. Murray resigned from Company K on September 14, 1864 and returned to his beloved Hoosier state.

He married Margaret Orr, and they raised several children together. He taught school for several years and then opened a store at Selma in 1876. Later he was elected trustee of Liberty Township and in 1878 was elected auditor of Delaware County. He also served as president of the county council for several years. He was a member of Williams Post No. 78 of the G.A.R. of Muncie.

His wife preceded him in death on October 12, 1912. He died at the home of his son, Dr. Don P. Murray, in Dunkirk. His funeral service was held at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles Orr, in Selma. In addition, he was survived by five other children: Mrs. Margaret M. R? of Selma, Mrs. John E. Reed of Indianapolis, Mrs. Margaret M. Bailey of Selma, Arthur L. Murray of Hammond, Mrs. H. R. Koerner of Raleigh, N. C. and Robert F. Murray of Muncie.

At the time of his death, he was one of the best known businessmen of Delaware County and one of the county's "foremost men."

He is remembered for the moral and physical courage he demonstrated as an officer in some of the worst battles fought by the Union in the Civil War.

-Biography by C. K. Coffin
 
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