John McLeod Murphy
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John McLeod Murphy (February 14, 1827 – June 1, 1871) was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.
Biography
Murphy was born in Westchester County, New York, and was appointed midshipman on August 10, 1841. He served during the War with Mexico at Vera Cruz and Tabasco on board the USS Stromboli. He resigned as a passed midshipman on May 10, 1852, after his last mission as an assistant on John G. Barnard's survey of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. He went into the private sector, working as a first officer on the Collins' line of steamships, a city surveyor for the city of New York, Chief Engineer of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and lastly as a member of the New York State Senate (4th D.) in 1860 and 1861.
American Civil War
Murphy reentered service at the beginning of the Civil War as a
He next took Carondelet off Vicksburg, Mississippi engaging batteries at that Confederate fortress many times from May 18 to July 3, being commended by Admiral Porter for energetic attention to orders and ready cooperation with Army corps commanders assaulting the fortress. Acting Lieutenant Murphy relinquished command of the gunboat on September 1, 1863, to serve as a recruiter in New York and resigned his commission on July 30, 1864. Attempts to re-enter politic office were unsuccessful. [citation needed]
Personal
He was the son of Thomas and Maria (née Warner) Murphy, and the brother of Augustus Howard Murphy and William Jay Murphy, both of whom were Sandy Hook pilots. He married Mary Theresa Mooney in 1848; the couple had at least six children: Walter M., Maria B., Mary Theresa, Joseph D., John K., and Mary Elsie. [citation needed]
Death
He died in
He should not be confused with his nephew, John McLeod Murphy (1858–1919), who served as a New York City fireman and patented the third-rail safety system for electric trolleys.
Namesake
USS Murphy (DD-603) was named for him.
References
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
- Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography, edited by James Grant Wilson, John Fiske and Stanley L. Klos, Six volumes, New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1887–89.
- New York Times, "Death of Col. John McLeod Murphy", June 2, 1871
- (ORN) Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion. Series I: 27 volumes. Series II: 3 volumes. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1894–1922.