Taylor Murphy
Personal Information
Taylor Murphy was born in Henderson County in the state of Kentucky in 1841. Before the war, he was a farmer as employment and according to Taylor's discharge papers from May 30, 1865, he was "5 feet 10 inches high, [had a] dark complexion, dark eyes, dark hair, and by occupation, when enrolled, a farmer". After the war he married a woman named Maria Elkins on December 6, 1866 when he was 25 and she was 22.
Taylor Murphy enlisted in Evansville, Indiana on November 10, 1861. Murphy was enlisted for three years, and was discharged on May 27, 1865. During one point of his military career, he is said to have deserted the military in order to go back to his home after his mother's death so he could bury her. Then, he went back to the military on November 10, 1862 and served out his time. He then recieved an honorable discharge.
This letter was written on January 17, 1884, and in the letter, Maria J. Hemming said that her husband, Taylor Murphy, died 3 years before the letter was written, so he most likely died in 1881.
Taylor Murphy enlisted in Evansville, Indiana on November 10, 1861. Murphy was enlisted for three years, and was discharged on May 27, 1865. During one point of his military career, he is said to have deserted the military in order to go back to his home after his mother's death so he could bury her. Then, he went back to the military on November 10, 1862 and served out his time. He then recieved an honorable discharge.
This letter was written on January 17, 1884, and in the letter, Maria J. Hemming said that her husband, Taylor Murphy, died 3 years before the letter was written, so he most likely died in 1881.
Letter Transcriptions
Original Letter From Maria J. Hemming to Robert Lincoln
Below are the documents that we studied and transcribed. The writing beside each document is the transciprtion of what the letter says. The first letter below was written specifically to Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's own son. Due to Robert Lincoln's signature and this letter speaking to him, there is a possibility that our Civil War documents were held by Robert himself which is an amazing characteristics in itself.
Stendal Pike Co Ind
Jan. 17 1884 Hon. Robert Lincoln Sec. of War, Having seen the law of August/’82 for the relief of certain deserter, I herewith give you the par- -ticulars of my husband, case. He re- ceived a letter from his brother that his mother was about to die, and after trying in vain for a furlough took a “French” as it was turned, and come home. After the death and burial of his mother, and while watching an opportunity to return, was sent back to his regiment and served out his time and got an honorable discharge He died three years ago am I not entitled to back pay and bounty due him under that act. He applied for the bounty by act of/’66 but it was rejected on the plea of absent without leave. Inclosed please find discharge certificate. My husband’s name was Taylor Murphy, Co. K 42nd Ind Vol. Inft. Please answer as soon a possible Very resptly Maria J. Hemming Stendal Pike Co. Ind. |
Return Papers
Stendal
Pike Co. Ind. Jan of ‘84 --------------------------------- Mrs Maria J. Hemming --------------------------------- For removal of charge of desertion from record of her former hus - band (now dead) Taylor Murphy, ------------------------------- “K.” 42nd Ind. Vol, Under act appv August of ‘82 Discharged inclosed One inclosure |
War Department,
Adjutant General’s Office, Washington, Jany 28, 1884. Respectfully returned to Mrs. Maria J. Hemming Stendal Pike Co. Ind. The records of this office show this man to have deserted Nov. 10, 1862, returned from desertion |
Pension Papers
Soldier’s name in full Taylor Murphy
Your P.O. Address in full Evansville Ind Vanderburg County care Peter Balty [Balty?] Rank Private Co. K Reg’t. 42 from what State Indiana Where Enlisted Evansville Indiana Date of Enlistment, Month and Year, November 10th year 1861 How long did you Enlist for? 3 years. or during the War. Date of Discharge, Month and Year, 27 Day of May 1865 Place Discharged at Near Washington D.C. What State D.C. What Discharged for Reasons of expiration of term of service … Give the amount of Bounty you received and when $100 27 Day of May 1865 … Will you Pay all Postage in the case, and pay me 10 per cent. Of the amount I collect? Yes sir I propose to do so |
Back of the Pension Papers
Blank Form
This is the back of one of the other letters, there are no full words on it and it looks like the ink from another letter faded onto it.
Discharge Paper (With Witnesses)
Envelope Front
Envelope Back
Official Discharge Paper
To All whom it may Concern:
Know ye, That Taylor Murphy, a Private of Captain T. M Neves Company, (K,) 42nd Regiment of Indiana Infantry [Vet??] VOLUNTEERS who was enrolled on the tenth day of November One thousand eight hundred and sixty one to serve three years or during the war, is hereby Discharged from the service of the United States, this twenty seventh day of May, 1865, at Near Washington D.C. by reason of expiration of term of service (No objection to his being re=enlisted is known to exist.*) Said Taylor Murphy was born in Henderson Co in the State of Kentucky, is 24 years of age, 5 feet 10 inches high, dark complexion, dark eyes, Dark hair, and by occupation, when enrolled, a Farmer. Given at Near Washington D.C. this twenty seventh day of May 1865 GEN W. Macy F Capt 15 US Infantry Apt Coms’y Musters 1st Div. 14th Corps Lieut. Col. Comdy 42nd Ind Inftry |
"Oath of Identity"
Military Career
Battle of Perryville, October 8, 1862 :
Confederate General Braxton Bragg launched an invasion against the key border state of Kentucky. He hoped to divert Union attention Chattanooga as well as gather volunteers. He was unsuccessful however, the 42nd Indiana Infantry skirmished with their calvalry. The Confederate army withdrew from the battle late in the night due to a shortage of supplies and men.
Seige of Chattanooga, September 24 - November 23, 1861-65 :
Union forces fought with Confederate forces at the Battle of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. The Union army and 42nd regiment were pushed back to a vital railroad in Chattanooga. Ulysses S. Grant arrived in October to refortify the city against the Confederates. The Union forces captured Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge allowing for a final victory for the Union.
Confederate General Braxton Bragg launched an invasion against the key border state of Kentucky. He hoped to divert Union attention Chattanooga as well as gather volunteers. He was unsuccessful however, the 42nd Indiana Infantry skirmished with their calvalry. The Confederate army withdrew from the battle late in the night due to a shortage of supplies and men.
Seige of Chattanooga, September 24 - November 23, 1861-65 :
Union forces fought with Confederate forces at the Battle of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. The Union army and 42nd regiment were pushed back to a vital railroad in Chattanooga. Ulysses S. Grant arrived in October to refortify the city against the Confederates. The Union forces captured Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge allowing for a final victory for the Union.
Disbandment
The 42nd Regiment was disbanded on September 30, 1864. It was unclear in our letter how Taylor Murphy died and through research and documents, nothing came up about our soldier. He was given an honorable discharge even though he deserted his regiment for personal resons. We believe he died at an older age from natural causes and lived with his wife, Maria Hemming, in their home town of Kentucky, Indiana.
This is a photo of the 42nd Regiment as they travelled through Ohio and to other states to serve in the Civil War.