I have been researching family history for many years. All of my direct ancestors lived in North Carolina at the time of the Civil War.
In December 1855 my "aunt" four generations removed, Penelope (Penny Rose) Burns married Winship Marshall Hurley. They lived in Chatham and Moore counties. WM Hurley was identified in the 1860 census as a "contractor on the rail road". They had three children and lived in the Buffalo Creek area of Moore County.
On April 3, 1863 WM Hurley "enlisted" into the 63rd Regiment (a.k.a. 5th NC Cavalry) at Goldsboro, NC. Two of Penelope's brothers had enlisted in that regiment in 1862 which may explain Hurley joining that specific regiment.
On 18 April Hurley was captured in Craven Co. He was taken to New Bern and then on to Fortress Monroe. Sometime in May he was exchanged at City Point and returned to NC.
Having no horse he was unable to join the 5th Cavalry and was transferred to Co D of the 61st NC regiment which was, at that time in the Charleston, SC area. During July through September the 61st was variously engaged on Morris, James, and Sullivan islands. From 29 July until 7 August the served at Ft. Wagner and Morris Island. Captain NA Ramsey said this of that time: "During the four (4) years of my experience in the army I found no place so uninviting as Battery Wagner on Morris Island. The bomb-proof, the only place of safety, cannot be well described, for all its dreary loathesomeness and horrors, and I will not attempt it." (source: Clark, Walter, ed. Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions from North Carolina in the Great War, 1861-1865. Vol. III)
Winship Marshall Hurley was killed at Ft Wagner on 9 August 1863.
Some twenty years later, on 6 July 1885, Penny Hurley made a "Widow's Claim for Pension" based on the service of her husband. There was one error made on the application. His date of service and death was recorded as being in 1864. The application was initially rejected. A note included says: "Need to further proof as to identity – husband's name not on muster roll. In which battle was he wounded and when and where did he die?"
Two affidavits were subsequently attached to the application.
0n 19 August 1885, WB Wicker of Haywood in Chatham County wrote: "It may be possible that his name is on the muster roll as W.M. instead of Winship Hurley. His full name was Winship Marshall. I see that you have the name W Hendy instead of W Hurley. He went from this county to the war with a cavalry company and served for a while. He lost his horse and then he got transferred to the 61 Reg, his captain NA Ramsey" Wicker then directs attention to the second affidavit written by GL Harmon on the same day.
It reads in part: "I am well acquainted with Mrs. Penny R Hurley of Manly, Moore County, NC and that she is the widow of Winship Hurley and that he was a member of Co D 61 NC State Troops. He was struck with a piece of a shell and instantly killed on Morris Island at Battery Wagner about the 20 day of Aug, 1863. I was within 5 or 6 feet to him when he was killed."
Penny Hurley did receive a widow's pension.
Further research turned up an interesting article in the Weekly Standard of Raleigh, NC dated 9 September 1863 (page 1). I am including the article by Captain NA Ramsey of Co D, 61st NC in part here:
"Casualties in Co D, 61st NCT, from 8th to 31st August
August 8. Killed – W.M. Hurley
August 22. Wounded – Lieut Cotton, slightly; Privates BF Wicker right arm shot off at elbow, R Noah, slightly in shoulder.
August 27. Wounded – Corp'l Rollins slightly in head.
The following were captured by the enemy at our rifle pits in advance of Battery Wagner. It is feared that several of them were killed Wednesday night, 26th August.
Lieutenant RC Cotton
Corpls MG Elmore & JH Straughan
Privates………..GL Harmon (see affidavit above)………….(he lists 21 privates KIA).
Mortally wounded –
MJ Webster, JB Williams, TJ Wright, and RC Dowdy
I applied for a flag of truce last week to leave the fate of these men. As yet, it has not been granted. It happens that none of them are "worthless" Generals, otherwise a flag of truce could easily be had. I could mention half a dozen or more Generals, that the country could better spare that either of the men I have lost. As soon as I get any information of the missing, I will publish it at the earliest day."
Such was the short career of Winship Marshall Hurley.
In December 1855 my "aunt" four generations removed, Penelope (Penny Rose) Burns married Winship Marshall Hurley. They lived in Chatham and Moore counties. WM Hurley was identified in the 1860 census as a "contractor on the rail road". They had three children and lived in the Buffalo Creek area of Moore County.
On April 3, 1863 WM Hurley "enlisted" into the 63rd Regiment (a.k.a. 5th NC Cavalry) at Goldsboro, NC. Two of Penelope's brothers had enlisted in that regiment in 1862 which may explain Hurley joining that specific regiment.
On 18 April Hurley was captured in Craven Co. He was taken to New Bern and then on to Fortress Monroe. Sometime in May he was exchanged at City Point and returned to NC.
Having no horse he was unable to join the 5th Cavalry and was transferred to Co D of the 61st NC regiment which was, at that time in the Charleston, SC area. During July through September the 61st was variously engaged on Morris, James, and Sullivan islands. From 29 July until 7 August the served at Ft. Wagner and Morris Island. Captain NA Ramsey said this of that time: "During the four (4) years of my experience in the army I found no place so uninviting as Battery Wagner on Morris Island. The bomb-proof, the only place of safety, cannot be well described, for all its dreary loathesomeness and horrors, and I will not attempt it." (source: Clark, Walter, ed. Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions from North Carolina in the Great War, 1861-1865. Vol. III)
Winship Marshall Hurley was killed at Ft Wagner on 9 August 1863.
Some twenty years later, on 6 July 1885, Penny Hurley made a "Widow's Claim for Pension" based on the service of her husband. There was one error made on the application. His date of service and death was recorded as being in 1864. The application was initially rejected. A note included says: "Need to further proof as to identity – husband's name not on muster roll. In which battle was he wounded and when and where did he die?"
Two affidavits were subsequently attached to the application.
0n 19 August 1885, WB Wicker of Haywood in Chatham County wrote: "It may be possible that his name is on the muster roll as W.M. instead of Winship Hurley. His full name was Winship Marshall. I see that you have the name W Hendy instead of W Hurley. He went from this county to the war with a cavalry company and served for a while. He lost his horse and then he got transferred to the 61 Reg, his captain NA Ramsey" Wicker then directs attention to the second affidavit written by GL Harmon on the same day.
It reads in part: "I am well acquainted with Mrs. Penny R Hurley of Manly, Moore County, NC and that she is the widow of Winship Hurley and that he was a member of Co D 61 NC State Troops. He was struck with a piece of a shell and instantly killed on Morris Island at Battery Wagner about the 20 day of Aug, 1863. I was within 5 or 6 feet to him when he was killed."
Penny Hurley did receive a widow's pension.
Further research turned up an interesting article in the Weekly Standard of Raleigh, NC dated 9 September 1863 (page 1). I am including the article by Captain NA Ramsey of Co D, 61st NC in part here:
"Casualties in Co D, 61st NCT, from 8th to 31st August
August 8. Killed – W.M. Hurley
August 22. Wounded – Lieut Cotton, slightly; Privates BF Wicker right arm shot off at elbow, R Noah, slightly in shoulder.
August 27. Wounded – Corp'l Rollins slightly in head.
The following were captured by the enemy at our rifle pits in advance of Battery Wagner. It is feared that several of them were killed Wednesday night, 26th August.
Lieutenant RC Cotton
Corpls MG Elmore & JH Straughan
Privates………..GL Harmon (see affidavit above)………….(he lists 21 privates KIA).
Mortally wounded –
MJ Webster, JB Williams, TJ Wright, and RC Dowdy
I applied for a flag of truce last week to leave the fate of these men. As yet, it has not been granted. It happens that none of them are "worthless" Generals, otherwise a flag of truce could easily be had. I could mention half a dozen or more Generals, that the country could better spare that either of the men I have lost. As soon as I get any information of the missing, I will publish it at the earliest day."
Such was the short career of Winship Marshall Hurley.
Forum Host
Bringing the