Episode 8: CPT John McMurray and the 6th U.S.C.T. at the Battle of New Market Heights

At the Battle of New Market Heights, CPT McMurray and the 6th U.S.C.T. assaulted Confederate positions on the morning on 29 September 1864. Their advance was through 50 yards of a recently cut forest and proved extremely difficult to navigate. Two Black soldiers: First Sergeant Alexander Kelly, and Sergeant Major Thomas R. Hawkins, and one white officer: 1st Lieutenant Nathan H. Edgerton rallied the men by taking up the regimental colors after the color guard suffered heavy casualties and urged the men of the regiment to continue the fight. Though the regiment retreated, the larger attack upon New Market Heights was a success, and the 6th U.S.C.T. reformed and participated in the defense of the newly captured Fort Harrison against a Confederate counterattack that evening.

For their actions at New Market Heights, First Sergeant Alexander Kelly, Sergeant Major Thomas R. Hawkins and 1st Lieutenant Nathan H. Edgerton all received the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Sources Used:

McMurray, John. Recollections of A Colored Troop. 1916. https://www.loc.gov/resource/mss83434.495/?st=slideshow#slide-4.

“John McMurray.” Accessed February 7, 2024. Newspapers.com

“Thomas R. Hawkins.” Accessed February 7, 2024. https://www.fold3.com/file/315148369/hawkins-thomas-r-us-civil-war-widows-pensions-1861-1910?terms=r,thomas,hawkins.

“1SG Alexander Kelly Congressional Medal of Honor.” Accessed February 7, 2024. https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/alexander-kelly.

“SGM Thomas R. Hawkins Congressional Medal of Honor.” Accessed February 7, 2024. https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/thomas-r-hawkins.

“1LT Nathan H. Edgerton Congressional Medal of Honor.” Accessed February 7, 2024. https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/nathan-h-edgerton.