William Read Scurry

William Read Scurry
Born	(1821-02-10)February 10, 1821 Gallatin, Tennessee
Died	April 30, 1864(1864-04-30)(aged 43) Grant County, Arkansas
Place of burial	Texas State Cemetery,Austin, Texas
Allegiance	United States of America Confederate States of America
Service/branch	United States Army Confederate States Army
Years of service	1846 (USA) 1861–1864 (CSA)
Rank	Major(USA) Brigadier General(CSA)
Battles/wars	American Civil War New Mexico Campaign Battle of Valverde Battle of Glorieta Pass Battle of Mansfield Battle of Jenkins' Ferry†

William Read Scurry(February 10, 1821 – April 30, 1864) was a general in theConfederate States Armyin theAmerican Civil War.

Biography

Scurry was born inGallatin, Tennessee.He moved toTexasin 1839 and became a lawyer and district attorney. Scurry was married to Janette (Jeannitte) B. Sutton on December 17, 1846 and had seven children. He representedRed River Countyin the Ninth Congress of theRepublic of Texasin 1844 and 1845 and served in the House of Representatives in 1845, promoting the annexation of Texas to theUnited States.Enlisting as a private in theMexican–American War,Scurry rose to the rank ofmajorby July 1846. Afterward, he practiced law inClinton, Texas,and was co-owner and editor of theAustin State Gazette.In 1856 Scurry became a delegate to the state Democratic nominating convention, and in 1861 he was a delegate to the Secession Convention.

In July 1861, he became alieutenant colonelin the Fourth Texas Cavalry, part of the Sibley Brigade which launched theNew Mexico Campaignat the outset of 1862. He distinguished himself as an officer at theBattle of Valverde,February 21–22, 1862, and as well by commanding the Confederate forces in theBattle of Glorieta Pass,March 26–28, 1862. He was promoted to fullcolonelon March 28, 1862, and subsequently played a key role in leading the Confederate retreat from New Mexico. He was promoted tobrigadier generalon September 12, 1862. Along with fellow New Mexico Campaign veterans, he helped recaptureGalveston, Texason January 1, 1863.

Scurry took command of the Third Brigade of Walker's Texas Division in October 1863 and led them into theBattle of Mansfieldand Pleasant Hill, April 1864. The Third Brigade then transferred toArkansasto fight against Gen.Frederick Steele,who was about to invade Texas. Scurry was killed at theBattle of Jenkins' Ferryon April 30, 1864, and was buried in the State Cemetery atAustin, Texasin May 1864. Texas erected a thirteen-foot-high white marble shaft over his grave.Scurry County, Texas,is named in his honor.

See also

• List of American Civil War generals (Confederate)

References

• Eicher, John H., andDavid J. Eicher,Civil War High Commands.Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001.ISBN978-0-8047-3641-1.
• Sifakis, Stewart.Who Was Who in the Civil War.New York: Facts On File, 1988.ISBN978-0-8160-1055-4.
• Warner, Ezra J.Generals in Gray: Lives of the Confederate Commanders.Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1959.ISBN978-0-8071-0823-9.

External links

• "William Read Scurry".Find a Grave.Retrieved2008-02-13.
• Handbook of Texas Online