★★★ Murray, John Edward

John Edward Murray
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Born: March 13, 1843

Birthplace: Fauquier County, Virginia

Father: John C. Murray (1818-1868)

Mother: Sarah Ann Carter (1821-1884)

Occupation before War

1849: Moved with family to Pine Bluff, Arkansas​

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1860: Received appointment to West Point​

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1860-1861: Attended West Point as a Cadet

Civil War Career

1861: Resigned from West Point and went south​

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1861: Became a training officer under William Hardee​

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1861: Lieutenant, 5th Arkansas​

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1861: Lieutenant Colonel, 5th Arkansas​

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October 8, 1862: Fought at Perryville​

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December 31, 1862: Led 5th Arkansas at Stones River​

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June 24-26, 1863: Fought at Liberty Gap​

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September 18-20, 1863: Fought at Chickamauga​

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September 19, 1863: Took command of the 5th/13th Arkansas after the death of Colonel Featherston​

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Late September, 1863: Colonel, 5th/13th Arkansas​

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November 27, 1863: Fought at Ringgold Gap​

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His unit held the gap itself against Federal assault​

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January 1864: Signed Cleburne's Proposal to arm and emancipate slaves to fight for the Confederacy​

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Winter, 1863-1864: Briefly commanded Govan's Brigade at times

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May-July 22, 1864: Participated in the Atlanta Campaign​

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May 27, 1864: Fought at Pickett's Mill​

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June 27, 1864: Fought at Kennesaw Mountain​

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July 22, 1864: Fought at Bald Hill​

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Commanded a demi-brigade of three regiments from Govan's Brigade​

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Charged the works of the 15th Iowa carrying the flag of the 5th/13th Arkansas​

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Mortally Wounded in action, commended in reports by his brigade commander Govan​

Died: July 23, 1864

Place of Death: Atlanta, Georgia

Cause of Death: Mortal wounds

Age at time of death: 21 years old

Burial Place: Mount Holly Cemetery, Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas

 

[Luke Freet]

The 5th/13th Arkansas is among the more underrated formations in the Confederate lexicon. They missed out on Shiloh, but from Perryville to Bentonville, they were prominent in nearly every major battle of the Army of Tennessee. Their finest action was at Jonesborough, where they remained the only intact unit of Govan's Brigade after Este's assault, and moved to help solidify the line. They were the only unit in the brigade to survive the Atlanta Campaign with their regiment flag, which would eventually be lost at Franklin, and then lost in transport some time after.

 

[Pollaco]

What exactly was his status or rank? Some say the youngest brigadier in the Confederate Army. But never commissioned so he was still just a young Colonel. One biography has him receiving his commission on the very day he was mortally wounded. Youngest to be promoted but not commissioned?

Lost his only brother at Cornith as a corporal of Co. A 12th Arkansas Battalion Sharpshooters

 

[ErnieMac]

Murray's regiment was part of BG Daniel Govan's Arkansas brigade. So long as Govan was alive Murray had little room for advancement. Placing him in command of a brigade composed of troops from a different state wouldn't have gone over well.

 

[Luke Freet]

What exactly was his status or rank? Some say the youngest brigadier in the Confederate Army. But never commissioned so he was still just a young Colonel. One biography has him receiving his commission on the very day he was mortally wounded. Youngest to be promoted but not commissioned?

His highest rank was colonel. Its common for a lot of these super young colonels who died in battle to have some blurb added to their obituary about how their promotions to brigadier came in the same day, when many were never were considered for commission, at least not in Richmond.

 

[Bruce Allardice]

Quite true, Luke. The "commission the day after death" bit was used in a lot of postwar writings, Edward Willis of the 12th GA being another one. It ignores the fact that a general's commission had to come from Richmond, and there would be paperwork involved that would show this.
Plus, as you point out, what brigade could he have commanded? Govan was still in place.

 

[lupaglupa]

What is being held by the hand on the tombstone?