History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 122

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013

USA > Tennessee > Davidson County > History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 122

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After passing through the campaign of Mississippi and Alabama, in the summer of 1862 his regiment was carried back to Murfreesboro', Tenn., and participated in the mem- orable battle at that place. During the first day's fight his command was engaged on the Nashville pike, where hard fighting was done. The second day, while McMurray was standing by a cedar-tree, a cannon-ball took it off a few feet above his head. The third day he participated in that bloody charge made by Gen. Breckenridge on Friday even- ing, when he lost half of his division ; in the charge Lieut. McMurray laid off his sword and took a gun.

As the division moved forward to the charge through an open field some four hundred yards wide, the Federals were lying in a skirt of woods in two lines, about thirty paces behind a fence, and when the Confederates had advanced to seventy-five yards of their lines, they rose and fired a volley of death into their ranks, in which was swept away the man just on McMurray's left. The Confederates moved to the fence and were ordered to lie down, and as it happened McMurray occupied a panel of the fence alone. He shot at one of three Federals who were standing by a bending tree, and as he turned over on his back to load one of these fired at him and cut off a number of splinters across his breast, and as he fired the third shot a second ball from the enemy cut off another piece of rail by his left breast.

The Confederates then moved forward, and in the charge a Minie-ball struck him in the left breast, making a wound some five inches long over the fifth rib, and passing between a pocket-Bible in his coat-pocket and his heart. This stunned him so that he was left on the field all night till near break of day. He crawled to an old deserted cabin, and was there found by his captain and surgeon, who had been searching the battle-field for him, and dressed his wound. He was afterwards detailed as a conscripting officer and put on Gen. Pillow's staff, where he remained until the spring campaign of 1863, when he participated in the bat- tles of Hoover's Gap, Bethpage Bridge, and Chickamauga. At the latter place he was thought to have been mortally wounded while charging a battery, but recovered during the winter and reported for duty at Dalton, Ga., when the spring fights opened again.

When the first shell fell in his regiment in that cam- paign he was heard to say " Welcome, thrice welcome, thou unfriendly visitor." He participated in the following bat- tles of that campaign : Rockface Gap, Resaca,* Dallas, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, and Peachtree Creek (22d July), this being the battle in which the Federal Gen. McPherson was killed.

On Aug. 5, 1864, while engaged in a skirmish in front of Atlanta, McMurray lost his left arm. He soon recor. ered from the amputation, and his friends tried to persuade him to return home, as he had been so badly used up, but he answered, " No; there is yet something I can do; when the old ship goes down, I want to be on the last plank." So he stayed with the army and received his parole of honor on May 17, 1865, just four years to the day from the time he entered the service.

On his return home he was arrested three times by the Federals,-once at Clarksville, while on board of a boat. He was reported to a Federal major as having used some disrespectful language about President Lincoln ; so he ar- rested him with the intention of having him tried by court-martial. When this was known on board, his Con- federate friends (some of whom are now living in this city, -viz., Marsh Pinkard, Dr. John W. Morton, Sr., now dead. Harry Martin, and Capt. Douglass, of Sumner County) rallied around him, and told the officer that he was misin- formed, and that he should not be taken off the boat; Bo the major abandoned his proposition. Again McMurray was arrested for the same offense when he arrived at Nash- ville, but soon convinced the authorities that it was a mis- take. Two hours later he was arrested for wearing his Confederate uniform on the street. He told the officer in charge that he had no money to buy clothes with, and they were all he had, and he was forced to wear them. His conduct was so ingenuous and fearless that he was released on the spot, and arrived at his home June 2, 1865, laying aside the Confederate garb forever.

On reaching home he found that the Federal soldiers had stripped his widowed mother and her young children of everything that could be carried away. On the second day after his return he went to work in the field with one hand. He matured his plans and shaped his course at once. He determined to educate himself, but had to make the money first. He succeeded in getting a few dollars together, and entered the excellent school of Professor Didiot, at Nolens- ville, where he managed to continue for nearly two years, in the mean time making a little money at spare opportuni- tics.

In the fall of 1867 he began reading medicine with the firm of William M. Clark (now of the Nashville Banner) and T. G. Shannon, now practicing in East Nashville. He continued this study for one year, not knowing where the money was to come from to carry him through the approach- ing lectures, but was trusting to luck. Ten days before lec- tures began an old friend met him in the road and told him that he had been watching his efforts and wished to assist him, and that he had a thousand dollars in gold at his com- mand. This McMurray refused, but said that he would be glad to get a less amount in greenbacks, which was promptly handed him.

He then left for the lectures at Nashville, where he made a reputation as a student, and graduated in anatomy the first winter and stood at the head of the anatomical class for two years. He was elected vice-president of the medical society of the University of Nashville, that being the high- est position a student was allowed to hold in it. He was then made chairman of a committee that overhauled all the

. At this place he was wounded in the left foot. As his regiment moved into the charge Lieut. McMurray went in singing one of those familiar Southern songs :

"And now, young man, a word to you : If you would win the fair,

Go to the field were honor calls, And win your lady there."

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Margaret M Frazier

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BIOGRAPHIES.

old papers of the society and got up a new set of by-laws. At the close of his second course he was elected valedicto- rian without a dissenting voice.

Having acquitted himself honorably at college, he went immediately into practice, bought thirty dollars' worth of drugs on thirty days' time, and expected to pay for them from his practice, and made known his intention to one of his preceptors, who told him that he would not get a call in thirty days. But he did get calls, did make the money, and did pay the debt at the stated timc.

He began practice in 1869 at Flat Rock, three miles from Nashville, on the Nolensville pike. His first year's practice, except enough for a scanty support, was absorbed in paying a security debt. He practiced there for three years, doing a very large business, when, on account of the severe exercise of horseback-riding (he having been badly wounded in the leg), he was compelled to abandon his country practice and remove to the city. A short time after he had located in Nashville, he was appointed phy- sician to the county jail. He was appointed twice by the jailer, three times by the sheriff, and elected twice by the County Court.

Dr. McMurray was united in marriage on Oct. 22, 1872, to Miss Fannie May McCampbell, who was born in this city in 1854, and raised near the Hermitage.

Miss McCampbell's mother was a Miss Gowdy, the daughter of Thomas Gowdy, an Irishman, who fought under Wellington at Waterloo. On her paternal side she is a descendant of the McCampbells and Andersons, of Knoxville, Tenn., whose legal talents have always ranked high. Her father, Thomas McCampbell, represented the Knoxville District in the State Senate when quite a young man. After his marriage he withdrew from the profession, and spent the remainder of his life in farming.

Mrs. McMurray is a woman of rare strength of mind and character. She graduated with honor at Dr. Ward's seminary in 1871, and married the next year.

The fruit of this marriage is only one child, Addie Mor- ton, born June 30, 1876.

Dr. McMurray was elected alderman in 1876 to repre- sent the Eighth Ward of the city in the Common Council, and while a member presented the first bill establishing the island filter of the city water-works.

Having only one arm, the other being off at the shoul- der, the doctor would naturally be expected to avoid all surgical operations, especially those of a difficult nature, but, true to his leading characteristic,-to never surrender,- he has never failed to perform successfully every surgical operation which has fallen to his lot in an extensive practice.

The doctor never attached himself to any church until 1863 while in the army, but was always moral; and during four years of wild war he never drank any spirits, swore an oath, played at cards, bet, nor used tobacco.

Dr. McMurray is a man who never forgets past favors or old friends. Instances of his lasting appreciation of favors shown him when quite young might be given did space permit.

Prof. Didiot says of him as a student that he was prompt in every duty, always respectful and obedient to his teacher,

generous and amiable towards his male companions, and gentlemanly in his bearing towards the girls; that he always knew his lessons, and was the best scholar of his grade that he ever had.

THOMAS N. FRAZIER.

Thomas N. Frazier was born on the 24th day of May, 1810, in the county of Greene and State of Tennessee. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Frazier, was of Scotch descent. He married Rebecca Julian, and they emigrated from North Carolina to Greene Co., Tenn., shortly after the close of the Revolutionary war. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention which framed the first constitu- tion for the State of Tennessee. His eldest son, Abner, came with him, and settled in Greene County, where he mar- ried Mary Edmonson, by whom he had five children, to wit: Samuel, Rebecca, Abner, Thomas N., and Beriuh. Abner Frazier, Sr., was a farmer of moderate circumstances; he did all his means would permit to educate his chil- dren, and succeeded in giving his eldest son, Samuel, who was a cripple, a liberal education, graduating at Washing- ton College, Tennessee. His other children received an ordinary education at the common schools of the county. His two youngest sons, Thomas N. and Beriah, succeeded, by their own exertions, in attending Greenville College for two years, during which time they-applied themselves with great assiduity to the study of the sciences and the Latin language. Thomas N. Frazier, after his short collegiate course, went to Rha Co., Tenn., where he studied the pro- fession of the law with his brother, Samuel, who was then attorney-general for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of the State of Tennessee. He obtained a license and commenced the practice of his profession in 1836; shortly after he was appointed clerk and master of the Chancery Court at Pike- ville, Bledsoe Co., Tenn., which office he held for about ten years, in the mean time applying his leisure time to the practice of law in the Circuit Courts of the district where he resided.' After this he resigned the office, and applied himself exclusively to the practice of his profession until the breaking out of the late war. He early attached him- self to the cause of temperance, and diligently applied him- self to the advancement of its principles by precept and example during the whole course of his life. In politics he was an unwavering Whig. When secession began to be publicly advocated, he espoused the cause of the Union, and resisted the doctrine of secession to the utmost of his ability. When the Legislature of Tennessee ordered an election for members to a convention for the purpose of determining whether the State should secede or not, and also to submit to vote the question of a convention or no convention, Thomas N. Frazier was run as a Union can- didate for a seat in the convention, and was elected by an overwhelming majority ; the convention was, however, de- feated, and none was ever held. The State afterwards se- ceded, and those opposed to secession were compelled to subinit. Frazier acquicsced, but took no part in the Rebel- lion, and, deeming it unsafe to remain in Bledsoe County, removed to Rutherford County in the spring of 1864.

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HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.

Soon after he settled in Rutherford County he was appointed judge of the Criminal Court for the counties of Davidson, Rutherford, and Montgomery, by Andrew Johnson, who was then Governor of Tennessee, and held the office under this appointment until 1867. He resided in Rutherford County two years, and then removed `to Davidson County in January, 1866.

In 1866 there was an extraordinary session of the General Assembly convened by the proclamation of Governor Brown- low for the purpose of ratifying or rejecting a certain amend- ment to the Constitution of the United States. A number of the members-elect were opposed to the amendment and failed to attend, and when the House of Representatives attempted to organize it was found that there was no quo- rum present. After waiting and adjourning from day to day for some time, the members present, by their Speaker, issued warrants for the arrest of the absent members, and two of them were arrested and brought to the Capitol in custody. A petition for a writ of habeas corpus for their release was presented to Thomas N. Frazier, then judge of the Criminal Court for Davidson County, who granted the same, and the question was argued at length before him, who was of the opinion that there was no law in the State of Tennessee authorizing a part of the Legislature less than a quorum in either branch to enforce by warrant or otherwise the attendance of absent members, and that the arrest of members was simply illegal and void; consequently the prisoners were discharged. For this opinion and judgment the Legislature of 1867 preferred articles of impeachment against him ; the same was heard by the Senate, and after a protracted, useless, and one-sided trial, the charges were sustained by a majority of the Senate, the office declared vacant, and the judge disqualified from ever holding office again in Tennessee. The next Legislature of the State of Tennessee, however, were of a different opinion, and by an act passed on the 11th of November, 1869, the impeach- ment and conviction were declared " unjust and undeserved, and calculated to injure an honest man, a pure patriot, and an upright and incorruptible judge, and the pains, penalties, and disqualifications imposed by said impeachment were re- moved, and Judge Frazier was restored to all the rights, privileges, and immunities of other citizens, as though said impeachment had never occurred." And the Constitutional Convention which was held in 1870 fully ratified and con- firmed the previous act of the Legislature removing said disabilities, and also providing for an election to fill all the offices in the State under the new constitution.

Mr. Frazier was a candidate for the same office of crim- inal judge, from which he had been expelled by unjust im- peachment, and at the regular election in August, 1870, he was elected by a handsome majority ; and Governor Senter, who had been one of his most active prosecutors in the impeachment case, signed his commission as such judge. And so the character and conduct of Judge Frazier was most triumphantly vindicated by the act of the Legislature, the Constitutional Convention, and the vote of the people ; he held the office for the full term of eight years, and then retired to his farm in the Second Civil District in Davidson County, where he now resides.

Thomas N. Frazier was twice married, first to Margaret

A. Spring, on the 22d of September, 1839. She was a daughter of John Spring, who was one of the first settlers in Bledsoe Co., Tenn. She died on the 16th of November, 1840. She left one child, Mary Ellen, who married Maj. George S. Deakins on the 9th of December, 1862, and died on the 27th of September, 1863. His second wife was Mar- garet M. McReynolds, whom he married on the 10th of April, 1845. She was the eldest daughter of Samuel Mc- Reynolds, of Bledsoe Co., Tenn .; her father was of Irish descent; he emigrated from the State of Virginia to Bledsoe County when quite young. He married Jane Hale, a daughter of Alexander Hale, a highly-esteemed citizen of Blount Co., Tenn. She had nine children, three of whom died in infancy ; she died in 1844. He afterwards married Anna Stephens, by whom he had three children. He died in 1865. He was a scientific and successful farmer, and by his industry and perseverance he had accumulated a large property before the war. He was a man of unim- peachable integrity, and highly esteemed by all who knew him. Margaret M. Frazier was born on the 8th of Novem- ber, 1824. She has ever been a prudent, industrious, and exemplary wife, and an affectionate mother. She is the mother of five children, four of whom are now living, to wit : Samuel, Sallie, Rebecca, and James.

GEN. ALVAN CULLEM GILLEM.

Gen. Alvan Cullem Gillem was born in Jackson Co., Tenn., July 29, 1830, and died at his residence in David- son Co., Tenn., Dec. 2, 1875. What follows is quoted principally from memoirs of the deceased by ex-Uuited States Senator Joseph S. Fowler :

"The true hero is assured of a never-ending remembrance. Humanity is ever ready to commemorate worthy and hoo- orable services rendered in its behalf. This characteristic tends to ennoble those who pay the devotion, whilst it in- spires all with the desire to make disinterested sacrifices in the interest of the race.

" Among those who contributed so much to the cause of human liberty was Gen. A. C. Gillem. Only a brief allu- sion to some of his valuable services will now be attempted.

" His parents had emigrated from Tennessee to North Carolina, and settled in a county remote from the ad- vantages of schools of the higher class. Young Gillem could obtain only the rudiments of an English course in his native county. His devotion to study and his rapid advancement induced his father to send him to Nashville, where he could secure the advantages of a liberal educa- tion. His industry, good morals, and intelligence attracted the attention of his representative in Congress, who nomi- nated him to a cadetship at West Point. He repaired promptly to the scene of his duties, and during his scbo- lastic period manifested the same devotion to his studies and other duties that had heretofore marked his life. He secured his diploma June 18, 1851, and received his com- mission of second lieutenant in the First Artillery, Dec. 3, 1851. March 3, 1853, he was promoted to first lieutenant. Ile served in the Florida, Texas, and various forts, until the Rebellion; at this time he was at Key West.

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" Lieut. Gillem married Miss Margaret Jones, of Hamp- den, Va., an accomplished and beautiful lady, whose family was among the most worthy of that State. Five children blessed their union, three of whom were left to the care and devotion of their noble mother, who has since died. Gen. Gillem loved his family with supreme tenderness. No hour that could be spared from his professional duties was withheld from them and their interests. He superin- tended the education of his children by explaining their lessons and seeing that they properly understood them, and directing their minds to the importance of intellectual culture and refinement. His energies were stimulated and economy rigidly practiced with a view to provide for their support in case he should be called to leave them.

" He was six feet in height, remarkably well-propor- tioned, and gracefully formed. His temperament was active, and his muscles of purest steel ; his brain was large, his forehead high, his eyes bright, cheerful, and full of genial friendship ; his mind was quick of apprehension, and his will, strong, followed instantly his convictions. Ilis imagination, active and creative, lifted him above the ordi- nary level of life. . ..

"He was commissioned July 12, 1861, assistant quarter- master with the rank of captain in the regular army. He served on the staff of Gen. Thomas at the battle of Mill Springs, Ky., early in 1862. After this campaign, Capt. Gillem was assigned to the staff of Gen. Buell, who now marched on Nashville. Capt. Gillem was Buell's quarter- master during his campaign, which terminated at the dis- persion of the army after the fruitless siege at Corinth. After this Governor Johnson offered Capt. Gillem the com- mand of the First Middle Tennessee Infantry, and he was commissioned colonel of volunteers, May 13, 1862. A new and important duty awaited him at Nashville. He was made adjutant-general of the State. In addition to these duties, he commanded a brigade during the autumn of 1862, and also served as provost-marshal of the city. Upon the arrival of Gen. Rosecrans, he desired Col. Gillem to accept the command of a brigade in his army, but Gov- ernor Johnson could not dispense with his services. Aug. 17, 1863, he was commissioned brigadier-general of volun- teers, and assigned to the command of the Fourth Cavalry Division of the Army of the Cumberland. During this year he completed the railroad to the Tennessee River, which gave the army two lines of road to secure its supplies. April 1, 1864, he was appointed under the direct orders of Governor Johnson to the command of an expedition to East Tennessee. The Governor had long desired the occu- pation of East Tennessee by the national arms. The people were generally firm Unionists and iuflexible in their devo- tion. The forces led by Gen. Gillem were men who, after two years' exile, now returned to reoccupy their homes and collect again their scattered families. Gen. Gillem, having arrived in East Tennessee after severe marches through the mountains, had several sovere engagements with the rebels, principally with those under the rebel Gen. Morgan, resulting in the death of the latter and the occu- pation at this time of Greenville by the Union forces, af- terwards, in conjunction with Gen. Stoneman, capturing Salisbury, N. C., with two thousand prisoners and eighteen

pieces of artillery. The history of the war records no in- stance of greater activity on the part of any body of troops. The field of operations was in the most rugged and inacces- sible part of the country. The season was the most in- clement of the year.

"The war now closing, new duties were emerging from the dreadful chaos produced by its sad ravages.

" Early in the year 1865 an effort was made to re- store civil order in Tennessee by an amendment to the constitution and the election of civil officers to supply the military rule. Gen. Gillem was returned as a member of the Legislature to represent his native county, and took his seat in the body, but soon resigned to attend to his military duties. Ile was assigned to the command of East Ten- nessec.

" We must pass by his duties in Mississippi as military superintendent of the Freedman's Bureau and abandoned lands, etc. He was also proconsul of that State.

"' Bright,' says his biographer, ' as was his military his- tory and his devotion to the flag of his country, they pale before his manly administration of Mississippi and Arkan- sas.'

" Gen. Gillem was assigned to the Department of Texas, where he served until the spring of 1871, when he was or- dered to Benicia, Cal. The intense labor of the past ten years and a chronic diarrhea, contracted at Shiloh, began to tell on his health.

" His labors at his new post of duty were not the less imperious in their demands. After the Modocs had estab- lished themselves in the Lava Beds, he was ordered to com- mand the expedition sent against them. His declining health was subject to too great a strain, and broke down under it. . . . He obtained leave of absence and returned to his home in Tennessee, where he lingered on a decline until his death. . .

" Though his family and friends mourn the absence of his sustaining and encouraging presence, his spirit will linger upon the battle-fields of the republic, and his illus- trious deeds become a part of her glories to cherish and perpetuate. In every sphere of life, in every transmutation from the cradle to the grave, his character is not only with- out reproach, but glowing with all the active virtues of a noble manhood."

JOHN LIVINGSTON HADLEY.

Dr. John L. Hadley was a native of North Carolina. His progenitors settled in that country while it was yet a colony of England. During the struggle for independence a deadly feud existed between all of the name and the Tories. In a night attack, directed by his voice, they shot the eldest member of the family through the head, killing him instantly.

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History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 122

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1013

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013