Richard C Murray

Richard Charles Murray (Obituary)

NAVAL HERO OF '61 PASSES AWAY
Death of Richard C. Murray Leaves But One Living Member of GAR Post

Oxford, Massachsuetts. February l3, 1926. - Richard C. Murray, 82 Commander of. Charles Devens Post No. 27; Grand Army of the Rebuplic (GAR) died this morning at his home on Tremont street after a lingering illness.

Mr. Murray was born In Utica, New York, son of Morris and Alice (Keon) Murray. He was educated in the public schools and when the Civil War broke out he ran away from home at the age of 16 and enlisted in New Bedford and was mustered into the United States service at New London to serve for three years in the United States Navy as first class seaman. He was mustered in on the United States Frigate Sabine and was sent to Brooklyn, New York on the United States Receiving Ship North Carolina, thence by rail to Cairo, Illinois and transferred by the United States Receiving Ship Clara Dolsen to the United States Gun Boat No. 21, the Robb, and served on her until August 9, 1865.

Mr. Murray served in engagements on the Mississippi River Squadron under Admiral D.D. Porter and participated in all engagements from New Orleans to Fort St. Philip and Jackson; Island No. 10; Red River Campaign, Vicksburg; Fort Donelson and numerous minor engagements. While at Island No. 10, he received a head wound, and at Vicksburg a gun shot in the right leg. After the engagement at Vicksburg, he was promoted to Quartermaster and was honored by the United States when Congress granted him a bronze medal of honor for his services on the Mississippi.

Mr. Murray was honorably discharged on August 9, 1865 at Mound City, Illinois. He has been a resident of the town for the last 30 years, having been foreman at the Bartlett Mills, North Oxford for several years. With the death of Mr. Murray, there remains but one surviving member of Charles Devens Post, No. 27, Leonard E, Thayer, South Main Street. Mr. Murray has been Commander of the Post for the last 3 ½ years. He leaves three children, Agnes, wife of John J. Donovan, Henrietta M. and James A., and four grandchildren, Richard, Helen, Ursula and Brendan Donovan.

The funeral will be held at 9 o'clock Monday morning with a High Mass of Requiem at St. Roch's Church with Rev. Patrick F. Hafey, officiating. The body will be placed in the tomb in St. Roch's cemetery to await burial in the Spring. Funera1 arrangements are in charge of T.H. Murphy & Sons, Worcester. The Women's Relief Corp. and Oxford Post, A.L., will meet at the GAR headquarters Monday morning and attend the funeral services in a body.

The phtograph below is of Richard C. Murray (Left) and his son, James A. Murray (Right). The occasion was the day that a GAR award was presented to him in 1916. James was in the Army Reserves and a student at Holy Cross College.

Photograph and information submitted by Richard C. Murray's great great grandson, Thomas M. Prouty.

Richard C. Murray (Left) and son, James A. Murray (Right)