McHenry Co. CW Round Table: Battle of Holly Springs

Of interest, the Spires-Boling House is located in Holly Springs,  Mississippi.  Famed Ida B. Wells was born there.

Robert Murphy, the colonel of the 8th Wisconsin was into Wisconsin politics and his family was well-connected to presidents.  He had, however, little military experience and didn't learn on the job either.  He was promoted to command of the 2nd Brigade  of Gen. Rosecran's Army of Mississippi.

George Driggs, a sergeant with the 8th Wisconsin kept a journal and said that Murphy was generally well-liked by his men.

At Iuka, Mississippi, Murphy was arrested for abandoning his post at the September 19, Battle of Iuka.  The Union Army retook Iuka, but the Confederates were able to get away. Grant blamed Rosecrans for it.  As a result, Grant and Rosecrans now disliked each other.

A court martial was held for Murphy and Murphy covered himself and was acquited.

--Old Secesh

Swords from Battle of Mobile Bay in Question-- Part 3

I came across this article from the Sept. 28th 41 WMGT NBC News "Cannonball House Could Involve Bibb County DA in Legal Battle Over Civil War Heirlooms."

Michael Dunn, said that the Cannonball House showed a "lack of good stewardship" when he discovered that some relics, including a Civil War-era picture, two Southern Crosses of Honor and 1912 Veterans Reunion Pins of his great-grandparents were lost when he asked for them back.

Attorneys for the Friends of the Cannonball House say that is Dunn doesn't return the items he has, that they will take it to the District Attorney.

I Have to Admit That I Am a Bit Confused About All This. --Old B-R'er

Swords from Battle of Mobile Bay in Question-- Part 2

In the past year, Michael Dunn has obtained Mumphrey's sword, sash and a photo of him in uniform. He was also given Jouett's sword, but it turned out to be someone else's.

Dunn, 62, says that the other items, including a Confederate Veterans reunion flag, reunion pins and wartime documents are in horrible condition.

He wants the items appraised and then plans to sell Murphrey's sword to an institution that will properly care for it and then donate the monet back to the Cannonball House. Confederate swords regularly sale for big bucks, especially one with this history.

His wife, Lee, a past Cannonball House board member, said, "We are quite baffled" at having to sue to get their items back. Their attorney, Lin Wood, of Chicago doesn't know the exact value of Murphrey's sword, but figures it to be under six figures. Jouett's sword is estimated to be worth $500.

It sounds to me like the Cannonball House is undergoing some financial and support issues, unfortunately. That seems to be more and more common in privately funded museums. I went to their website and there is a pop-up that blocks it. That is not a good indicator.

Let's Hope This Gets Straightened Out. --Old B-Runner

Swords from Battle of Mobile in Question-- Part 1

From the Sept. 30th Macon.com (Georgia) "Man wants Civil War artifacts back from Cannonball House" by Joe Kovac, Jr..

This is the article that cost me so much time last week. But, I didn't know anything about the people or that aspect of the battle.

A lawsuit was filed Sept. 29th over a Confederate Naval officer's sword captured at the Battle of Mobile Bay by a man who wanted it back from the Macon museum. Also, the sword of Captain James E. "Fighting Jim" Jouett, who later became a rear admiral in the US Navy.

In the late 1800s, Jouett gave his sword and that of Confederate Navy Captain Peter U. Murphrey, who died in 1876, to Murphrey's daughter. Murphrey had surrendered his sword to Jouett when his vessel, the CSS Selma was captured by the USS Metacomet.

The suit was brought by Murphrey's great-great-great grandson, Michael H. Dunn of Atlanta. He contends that a flag, the two swords and other artifacts loaned to the Cannonball House decades ago should be returned to him. Some of them are in bad shape and others lost by the Friends of the Cannonball House.

The swords and artifacts were passed down for generations in the Mumphrey family until 1967, when they were loaned to the local United Daughters of the Confederacy chapter for display in the house.

More to Come. --Old B-Runner

Why It Takes So Long To Do This Blog

Earlier today, while looking at the Civil War Interactive site, I came across an article about a family suing the Cannonball House in Macon, Georgia, to retrieve items lent to the place. Two of the artifacts were the swords of a Union and Confederate naval officer, Captain James "Fighting Jim" Jouett, USN, and Captain Peter U. Murphrey, CSN. I had never heard of either man.

The Confederate sword had been surrendered to the Union officer at the Battle of Mobile Bay when the USS Metacomet forced the CSS Selma to surrender.

Evidently, the museum, which i have heard of, wasn't taking very good care of the items.

Well, then, I had to look up the two men. James Jouett went on to become a rear admiral after the war. Murphrey, a former US Navy officer, was wounded at the battle, but recovered and eventually returned to Mobile to live until drowning in it at the home of friend Paul Ravesies, who I also had to look up.

This ended up taking over two hours.

I Will be Writing About It. --Old B-Runner