Captain William H. Murray

By Scott Sherlock

"Fighting he fell with his face to the foe Cheering his Comrades On."

William Murray died at the age of 24 on a hill in Pennsylvania.  He was buried on the field at Gettysburg, along with eleven others in his Company A. Thirty-nine in Company A were wounded.  Four of those persons later died.  Five in Company A were captured.  Fully one-forth of the casualties suffered by the Maryland Battalion at Gettysburg were sustained by Company A.

William H. Murray was perhaps the best-loved Confederate junior officer from Maryland.  Kevin Conley Ruffner, author of the new book "Maryland's Blue and Gray" observed that Captain Murray "earned the respect of his subordinates and his commanding officers for his valor on the field, his overall trustworthiness and the concern he showed for his men."  As we have chosen  to "reenact" history-specifically the history of the Maryland Battalion in general and Company A in particular, it is fitting that we try to understand Company A's most notable captain.

For those of us who are interested in understanding Captain Murray, we are fortunate to have access to a number of letters he sent across the lines back to his sister and mother. These letters are stored at the Maryland Historical Society, and I recently had copies made, which I would be pleased to share with anyone interested.

William Murray was born on the family farm in West River, Anne Arundel County on April 30th 1839.  He moved up to Baltimore in the late 1850's and is identified as a "businessman" in the 1860 census.  William(s) Murray joined a newly organizing militia unit, the Maryland Guards, which was part of the 53rd Maryland Militia Regiment.  He was subsequently named a captain.

In the heady times of April and May, 1861, following the Baltimore riots, the Maryland militia was mobilized, deployed and subsequently disbanded.  That month, Federal troops occupied the city and initiated the dispiriting process common to conquered Southern cities: newspapers closed, the militia weapons seized, the police department disarmed, property confiscated, the political leadership arrested and imprisoned.  In May, William Murray, like many others, left Baltimore and made his way South, sending his mother a farewell note ending: "It may be forever - but if I fall -I fall a free man." 

When William Murray arrived in Richmond he set about raising a company of Infantry from Marylanders who had congregated there.  Many of these Marylanders hailed from Baltimore and served in the prewar Maryland Guard militia company.  One of these was William Murray's brother Clapham.  William Murray was named captain of Company H. The company was well drilled, and unlike many companies it was drilled by its own officers.  When in June of 1861, Virginia Military Institute cadets were directed to the Marylanders to provide drill instruction, the offer was rebuffed by the comment "this company was drilled by its own officers and sergeants," after which asserted McHenry Howard, "we were left to our own training."

The last issue of this newsletter summarized in detail the impressive record the Marylanders achieved at Manasas and during the Valley campaign.  Captain Murray's letters reveal a little about the awesome human responsibility of command.

In a letter dated March 2nd, 1862 Captain Murray wrote from a hill facing the Potomac: "Just think it is ten months since I left home, 'not banished but set free'- not till now have I realized the responsibilities resting on one's shoulders.  The force of example.  The strict impartial rules -by which to govern - present their responsibilities fearfully plain to my mind.  You may ask why I allow things to trouble me which disturb not others - I answer- because in other companies many officers laugh at moral corruption which is to me a source of anxiety and pain."

"How many anxious mothers - who perhaps I have never seen - look to me as far as in me lies, to shield and protect their sons from harm - This is one care that is never absent." 

The letter ends, poignantly: "At this moment a shell from the hills of my native State came hissing through the air and bursting at my feet seemed to say 'forbidden ground' and with sad heart I turned and looked not again on the land of my birth."

The responsibilities of command are echoed in other letters. In one dated January 10th, 1863, Captain Murray relates an incident in the winter campaign and how his attention and concern for his men was reciprocated by great effort by the men of command.  "To the call of the drum the poor stretched fellows came, their feet one map of inflamed blisters and asked 'Captain, how far do we go?'  I answered with the orders: 'it is to meet the enemy.'  I told them 'all without shoes and unable to keep up must remain with the wagons.' To a man they said 'we will follow you.'  How proud I felt of my brave boys, to see them standing shoulder to shoulder when there was danger, though it was against the will of nature.  You can not appreciate my feelings, I was content to endure any and every hardship it mattered not what.  We started off not the crippled and broken down battalion that a few hours before had dragged itself into Camp, but a band of determined men marching towards the enemy wild with excitement. Within the distance of one mile we forded the river four times to our knees in water so cold that it appeared to take the very breath from the body, not yet a man faltered or left his command."

Captain Murray left the comforts of his home to fight for his just cause.  The 1st Maryland and subsequently the 2nd Infantry was not a rear echelon outfit.  As many of you know, the 1st Maryland served with great valor in the Valley Campaign of 1862.  In one letter, Captain Murray refers to General Jackson as his "earthly god."  General Jackson apparently also admired his Marylanders: not only was the 1st Maryland conspicuous throughout the campaign  - but no less than four of his brigadiers were from the Old Line State: Elzey, Trimble, Winder, Steuart. 

Combat was a given and relished by the Marylanders. In a letter, undated but for the year "1863", Captain Murray related to his sister: "The happiest day I ever spent in the South was I think the eighth of last June at Cross Keys. I with rifle in hand had with fifteen others twenty most beautiful shots at a regiment of Yanks bearing their flag.  Three times did it fall in the dust under our fire.  My heart danced for joy as the cheers of our dear little regiment made the echoes sing....For six long hours did we face three regiments of Infantry and two batteries of artillery of the enemy.  There was not an inch of ground around us that was not literally ploughed with shot and shell from the continued roar and bursting of these unpleasant messengers--for hours after the battle was over I could not hear my own voice.  Such is the fun my foolish company now wishes to enjoy."

In August of 1862, the 1st Maryland was disbanded by order of the War Department.  Almost immediately Captain Murray set out to organize a new command.  In the volunteer Confederate Army, people, Marylanders in particular, joined a unit where they were confident about their leadership.  Looking at the Goldsborough book "The Maryland Line in the Confederacy" it is clear that Captain Murray's company, Company A, was 50% larger than any other Maryland company.  Marylanders voted with their feet.  Captain Murray recognized the honor bestowed when he observed in a letter to his mother "I have the best company in the army north and south."

Less than a year after the creation of the new Maryland Battalion, Captain Murray would lay dead on the slope of Culp's Hill. Many of you will already know this story.  In summary though: General Lee had apparently intended for the 2nd Maryland not to participate in the invasion of the north, but rather to serve as garrison troops for Winchester.  General Ewell, successor to General Jackson, did not. The 2nd Maryland, a part of Steuart's brigade, was incorporated into Edward Johnson division. Crossing the Potomac, and eventually the Pennsylvania line, Steuart's brigade was placed on detached service to gather supplies and horses.  In Mercersburg what Goldsborough refers to as a "goodly quantity" of shoes were obtained-paid for with Confederate script.  The brigade met up with the rest of the division in Chambersburg.

General Steuart's brigade arrived at the town of Gettysburg in the mid-afternoon of July 1st.  They halted and rested on the streets.  John Stone in Company B recalled the day as being "very warm."  We can all well imagine the dry heat of that July afternoon. All reminisces reflect the constant distant and not so distant thunder of battle that day.

By 4pm, the 2nd Maryland was being placed into the line of battle.  John Stone observed "many prisoners being taken to the rear, many of them badly wounded. Also many of our men wounded. It was I assure you anything but a pleasant sight.  We hurried on and soon reached the battlefield, at least a portion of it.  Side by side could be seen the Gray and the Blue, stretched cold in death.  On we marched until we crossed the rail road track near the depot, by this time the first day's battle was virtually over.  By eight o'clock we were in line of battle with picket line well advanced.  In this position we remained until 4 o'clock July 2nd, at which time the signal gun was fired and we commenced our advance..."

Many of us have some familiarity with Culp's Hill. Goldsborough notes that it is rough ground--wooded(,) with immense rocks and boulders scattered randomly about, broken up by a stream, and springfed puddles.  It is not ground through which orderly advance can be made.  The Federals were on top of the hill, behind log breastworks.  When Steuart's brigade was getting in line, two units, the 3rd North Carolina and the 2nd Maryland were exposed to fire from these breastworks and some off to the right--the fire emanating some three hundred yards away.  Additionally, in the confusion, not unique by any means to Gettysburg, the 1st North Carolina, held in Steuart's reserve, opened fire on the Southern troops in front of them.  Marylanders took some of these hits.

In a rush the 2nd Maryland and the 3rd North Carolina, which was on left of Maryland Battalion captured a first line of Federal works--most accounts describe this line as abandoned.  The second line of works, devised to support the first, had not been abandoned and the Federals maintained a sustained fire on the attackers.  Maryland Confederate survivors of the assault use terms like "ambush" to describe the Federal retreating tactics in the rough terrain of Culp's Hill.  It was not until 10pm--four hours after the signal gun had first been fired, that the second breastwork was captured, and secured.  Skirmish fire, which found its mark, continued until 11pm.   Goldsborough estimated that the unit had sustained 100 casualties that day and night.

That night residual fire continued. The 3rd North Carolina and the three left Maryland companies, including Company A, were exposed to this from the front and the left.  Goldsborough describes Captain Murray as "distressed over the slaughter of his men."  By eight in the morning, the 3rd North Carolina in total was reduced to eighteen effectives. Captain Murray requested to withdraw from his exposed position, which was granted.

Subsequently, by order of the divisional commander Johnson, Stewart's brigade was ordered to form just inside the edge of the woods and assault the federal line.  In short the brigade was to leave the shelter of the woods, cross the adjoining field, about two hundred yards distance-all that separated the two lines, and seize the Federal line.

Major Goldsborough, ranking Marylander after Colonel Herbert had been wounded the day before, observing the prepared Federal defenses, the open space, the total absence of surprise, objected to the order reflecting that it was "murder to send men into the slaughter pen.  Captain Murray is reported to have shaken the hand of every man in his company and said, "Good-bye, it is not likely that we shall meet again."

Captain Murray was given charge of the right flank of the Maryland Battalion.  Major Goldsborough gave this to him as he had "great confidence in Captain Murray, and knowing the veteran material of which his company was largely composed and he being the Senior Captain."  As the Maryland Battalion was on the right of the rest of the brigade, Murray effectively was required to maintain the flank of the entire line.  The Maryland line could expect fire from both the front and right flank when it made its assault.

General Steuart himself led the brigade in the charge.  Goldsborough notes the orders "Attention, Forward, double quick" and at that the brigade moved forward at right-shoulder shift.  Once through the slight screen of woods, the brigade was exposed to a galling fire.  Goldsborough says the brigade was fired on by three separate Federal brigades.  John Stone noted that "so terrific was the strife that scarcely a leaf or limb was left on the surrounding trees."

The men in the North Carolina and Virginia regiments to the left of the 2nd Maryland, fell to the ground and refused to go forward despite constant plodding by their officers.  The Marylanders and the 18 survivors of the 3rd North Carolina marched doublequick towards the Federal lines.  With the support on the left having evaporated, the Marylanders received direct concentrated rifle fire from the left, the center and the right.  At that point, a Federal battery opened up with an enfilading fire on the battalion from the left.

The Marylanders marched at a controlled double quick.  At least one Marylander, J. William Thomas a sergeant in Company C, believed that the deliberate mechanical approach of the assault contributed to the high number of casualties and limited its effectiveness.  "Our only safety lay in charging, but no "Steady--steady" was the oft repeated order, while the men were being mowed down."  "Our line was as good as on dress parade, and as men were knocked out, the line closed in and dressed up."  "If when half way across, we had been allowed to charge, I believe we could have started a rout, as we were on their extreme right and they showed signs of leaving." 

How far the Marylanders actually got is subject to some conjecture.  Federal General Kane in his reference to the action believed that the Maryland Confederates had pierced the Union line: "many died in our lines, chiefly members of the crack First and Second Maryland Regiments of Steuart's brigade."  Thomas's account is that the Marylanders did not get that far: "Still we advanced slowly to within 40 ft.  Then someone ordered us to retire.  All broke for cover, but I fear few found it."  Marylanders are reported to have carried the  Battalion flag at least to the federal entrenchments and then successfully extracted it from that line.  

Captain Murray was apparently hit approaching the Federal line-this event caused disorganization on the right flank. Daniel Carroll Toomey in his book "Marylanders at Gettysburg" wrote "Despite the unrelenting Union musketry, Captain Murray continued to lead Company A closer and closer to the enemy works until he was mortally wounded. As his brother Alex rushed to catch the falling William he was struck by an exploding shell and knocked unconscious."  J. William Thomas uses the word "huddled" to describe the wing following the wounding of Murray.  The Marylanders retreated back to their lines--the Federals declined to pursue.  Total casualties suffered by the Maryland Battalion were 52 killed, 140 wounded.

The loss of Captain Murray was devastating to the Maryland Battalion.  One comrade of his-also shot down at Culp's Hill observed: "I grieved to see poor Bill Murray stretched out stiff and cold.  Oh! How I felt.  I liked him and he was a fine soldier, a fine Captain.  He used to look forward with such pride and joy to an entrance into Baltimore, and to think his life was thrown away."  Buried where he fell, Captain Murray and the other Marylanders were subsequently reinterred in Baltimore, at the Loudon Park Cemetery, along with many other Maryland Confederates after the war.  

Goldsborough summarized the personality of the captain:

"Captain Murray was a most lovable character modest and unassuming in disposition, pure and chaste in his conversation, tender and considerate for those under his charge; no one occupied a warmer place in the affections of their men than did this gallant soldier.  His soldierly qualities were as marked as was his personal qualities unblemished.  He will live in the memory of those who knew him and their sorrow over his early fall is just as keen today as it was thirty years ago.  To their children will his character be handed down as an example worthy of emulation, as a Maryland soldier who reflected the honor of his state and whose private life was bright with Christian virtues."   

Sources:

Thomas G. Clemens, editor , "The Diary of John H. Stone, First Lieutenant, Company B, 2d Maryland Infantry, C.S.A." Md. Historical Magazine (Summer 1990).

W.W. Goldsborough "The Maryland Line in the Confederate Army."

McHenry Howard "Recollections of a Maryland Confederate Soldier 1861-65."

Kevin Conley Ruffner "Maryland's Blue and Gray."

J. William Thomas "Transcript Diary."

Daniel Carroll Toomey "Marylanders at Gettysburg."

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