Richard Murphy (abt. 1804 - 1847)

Born about 1804 in Adair, Kentucky, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Ann (Chipley) Murphy — married 14 Jul 1831 in Macon Illinois, United States

Descendants

Died 20 Apr 1847 at about age 43 in Mexican War, Rio Del Plane, Battle of Cerro Gordo Mexico

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Biography

Richard Murphy was the son of Peter Terry Murphy and Mildred French he married Sarah "Sally" Ann Chipley on 14 July 1831 and they were the parents of five daughters.

• Jane Elizabeth Murphy
• Mary Ann Murphy
• Nacy Murphy
• Luinda Murphy
• Minerva Murphy

About Richard Murphy , 1st Lieutenant

Richard Murphy served as 1st Lieutenant in the Mexican War. He was part of the 4th unit of the Baker`s reg. Illinois Volunteers. Richard was mortally wounded on April 18, 1847 in the Battle of Cerro Gordo. He died two days later on April 20, 1847. Sadly, his unit was due to return home only two weeks after the battle occurred.

The Battle of Cerro Gordo - (Sa`ro Gor`tho), was a mountain pass on the road between Veracruz and Xalapa and the site of a decisive battle that took place on April 17-18 1847 during the Mexican War. General Santa Anna, having established himself firmly at and behind the pass, attempted to halt the advance of General Winfield Scott from Veracruz to Mexico City. Although the Mexicans thought their position impregnable, the Americans were able to rout the weak left flank and take the pass from the rear. Santa Anna was defeated, and Xalapa occupied.

Captain Robert E. Lee and Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant also took part in the battle. 8500 Americans went into battle that day against Santa Anna`s 12,000 men. 431 Americans were killed and/or wounded. My great-great-great-grandfather Richard Murphy was one of the fatalities. It is not known for sure how many of Santa Anna`s men were killed but 3000 were taken prisoner that day and the road to Mexico city was now open.

• • • • • MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF JOSHUA E. JACKSON*****

From the Illinois State Historical Society

There was a soldier who served along side Richard in the Mexican War. His name was Joshua E. Jackson and he kept a diary documenting the experiences of he and his fellow soldiers in the Mexican War, from July 31, 1846 until May 1847. Joshua died in the same battle as Richard,the last of his entries read like this;

16 Apr 1847 - This morning we was still waiting for orders for to do something, while we was eating breakfast there was a man shot through the ankle. He belonged to the Penn. Regt. About 4 o-clock there was a man buried out of the Tennessee Regt. He was shot by the Mexicans through the leg and head.

Thus ends the diary as kept by Joshua E. Jackson. According to an account of the Battle of Cerro Gordo, which took place on April 17/18 1847. Both Joshua E. Jackson and My G,G,G, Grandfather Richard were mortally wounded and later died.

• • • • The diary is then taken over by another fellow soldier named Isaac Davenport who writes;

List of men killed and wounded in the third and fourth Regt`s III, Volunteers. Brig. Gen. Shields Mortally wounded. 4th Regiment Lieutenant Richard Murphy Co. E severely wounded, since died. Joshua E. Jackson Co. E mortally wounded and since died. They both fell in the heat of battle and they both died seemingly in triumph, to think that they had died in the country`s cause. Jackson desired that G E Bennitt of his own company inform his Veteran Father; that he fought like a man and that he died like a hero this was his remark as he lay wounded. Lieutenant Murphy died in entire composure, remarking; that his desire was accomplished, and that he lived to see Santa Anna whipped.

• • • • From "The Mexican War Diary of Thomas D. Tennery" ****

April 18 1847.-Just at daylight this morning, some of the boys came out from Plan del Rio, with breakfast which they had been sent back for. We learned from them that a party hunting yesterday was attacked at a spring and Moses Shelton, of Co. D, was killed, one more was wounded. The grape soon began to fall among us but without injury. The order was to fall in, so we started, the third regiment in front, ours next, the New York in the rear. Our path lay along the hollow and was soon exposed to the view of the enemy on the high hill, which caused cannon shot to roar above our heads and batter the rocks in the hollow to our right. After traveling this way a while, we were ordered to file right and move up the opposite steep at double quick, here Lieutenant Gowden fell and orderly Hanchy was wounded. The grape rattled like hail when we gained the level ground; we bore to the left along a narrow path at double quick in single file. In passing along this path we saw a splendid scene. The infantry under Twiggs was charging the hill; the steepness rendered the progress slow. but they moved on steady. firing and loading at will. with a firmness that never can be excelled. while red flame seemed constantly to blaze along the lines of the enemy. which were supported by their cannon. A burst of admiration broke from our troop in three cheers that for a moment stunned the roar of the battle. At this time the front companies of our regiment came in view of the batteries, by the path opening into the field. we got before ( i.e.. in front) when we ran up the hill. Here the batteries opened up on us. We Banked to the right. and fell on the enemy at some ranches where they had their military stores and hospitals. This is on the road. Here we had all kinds of fighting; Lieutenant [Richard] Murphy. Private [Joshua E.] Jackson. [Leroy] Thomby and myself were wounded of our company. Jackson in the head. Lieut. in the lower part of the body, both mortal. Thomby just over the hip; myself through both legs. A part of our regiment and a part of the Yorkers, Twiggs and the cavalry charged ( pursued) them within four miles of Jalapa. General Pillow's brigade had attacked in front. Twiggs on the left and Shields in the rear of the enemy. Twiggs and Shields succeeded in routing the enemy. Pillow's division was driven back in the first attempt to charge, but General [ R. Diaz de ] La Vega, seeing all was lost, and that he would soon be attacked in the rear. surrendered to him. Where Pillow's men attacked it was impossible ever to make a successful charge. This place is called Cerro Gordo. When I was wounded I called Perryman who took care of [ me] the balance of the day.

April 19. 1847-I lay last night at a ranch. where a great many of the wounded had been taken, among the rest Thomby and Jackson. The lieutenant was carried down to Plan del Rio last night. The army is constantly going by. The prisoners taken yesterday were turned loose today and went to Jalapa unarmed. La Vega escaped; he would not take the oath to serve no more during the present war. Those of our company that were here went on except [Sergeant Absolom ] Hamilton and [Corporal Isaiah] Davenport, left to attend the sick.

April 20. 1847-Jackson appears quite peart today, we all think we are mending. The Mexican hospital is across the way from us and they keep up a groaning. Our men are moving the baggage and stores of provisions captured from this place to Jalapa.

April 21. 1847-A man died this morning, and Lieutenant Murphy at Plan del Rio. Joshua E. Jackson died about eleven o'clock.

List of Solders who fell or were wounded during the battle from the Illinois voleteers.

4th Illinois Volunteers Killed:

1. 1st Lt. George M. Cowarden, Co. I, April 18. 2. Cpl. N. H. Melton, April 18. 3. Pvt. Joseph Newman or Neuman, April 18. 4. Pvt. Abraham Hornbeck, April 18.

Wounded:

1. First Lt. Richard Murphy, mortally, April 18; died April 20, 1847. 2. First Lt. Robert C. Scott, Co. F, severely, April 18. 3. Second Lt. Sheldon I. or J. Johnson, Co. F, dangerously, April 18. 4. Second Lt. Andrew or Anderson Froman or Foreman, Co. C, slightly, April 18. 5. Second Lt. Charles Maltby, Co. E, slightly, April 18. 6. Sgt. John M. Hanasley, Co. I, slightly, April 18. 7. Sgt. J. D. Lauder, Co. I, slightly, April 18. 8. Sgt. Uriah Davenport, Co. I, slightly, April 18. 9. Sgt. Jas. B. Anderson, Co. I, slightly, April 18. 10. Sgt. F. Day, Co. I, slightly, April 18. 11. Sgt. Wm. P. Berry, Co. I, slightly, April 18. 12. Sgt. C. C. Rourke, Co. I, dangerously, April 18. 13. Cpl. Thomas Hessy, Co. I, slightly, April 18. 14. Cpl. George W. Nelson, Co. I, dangerously, April 18. 15. Pvt. G. A. Yoakum, Co. I, dangerously, April 18. 16. Pvt. Samuel Tibb, Co. I, dangerously, April 18. 17. Pvt. James H. Patterson, Co. I, severely, April 18. 18. Pvt. P. S. Day, Co. I, severely, April 18. 19. Pvt. A. R. Johnson, Co. I, slightly, April 18. 20. Pvt. Thomas Ritchie, Co. I, severely, April 18. 21. Pvt. Enoch Wiseman, Co. I, severely, April 18. 22. Pvt. Elijah Ellmore, Co. I, severely, April 18. 23. Pvt. James Barrett, Co. I, severely, April 18. 24. Pvt. James Dephew, Co. I, severely, April 18. 25. Pvt. John Walker, Co. I, slightly, April 18. 26. Pvt. Wm. E. See, Co. I, severely, April 18. 27. *Pvt. James Malson, Co. I, mortally, April 18. 28. Pvt. John Arahood, Co. I, dangerously, April 18. 29. Pvt. Laban Chambers, Co. I, dangerously, April 18. 30. Pvt. George Cawer, Co. I, severely, April 18. 31. Pvt. Etheridge Rice, Co. I, slightly, April 18. 32. Pvt. James Shepherd, Co. I, severely, April 18. 33. Pvt. David Huffman, Co. I, slightly, April 18. 34. Pvt. Rob. Jackson, Co. I, dangerously, April 18. 35. Pvt. Leroy Thornley, Co. I, severely, April 18. 36. Pvt. Thos. Tennery, Co. I, severely, April 18. 37. Pvt. John Price, Co. I, slightly, April 18. 38. Pvt. Joseph Tharp, Co. I, dangerously, April 18. 39. Pvt. Irwin Beeker, Co. I, slightly, April 18. 40. Pvt. J. J. D. Tood, Co. I, dangerously, April 18. 41. Pvt. Charles Fanning, Co. I, severely, April 18. 42. Pvt. Fred?k. Brancher, Co. I, severely, April 18. 43. Pvt. S. Browne, Co. I, slightly, April 18. 44. Pvt. Witham Morris, Co. I, dangerously, April 18.

Links:

http://www.livelyranch.com/diary_of_thomas_d.htm

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kvanchieri/MexicanWarDiary.html

Sources

• Illinois Marriages, 1790-1860

U.S. Pensioners, 1818-1872 Illinois, Find A Grave Index, 1809-2012 1840 United States Federal Census List of those mortally wounded in the Battle of Cerro Gordo