However
During my rummaging around I stumbled across John(Jno) J McMurry,(Mississippi County Arkansas) Capt., Co F, Clark's Regiment. His CSR reports him being a prisoner at Bloomfield MO being captured Mar 5 1863 in Dunklin Co. (Same time and place that Casper Headrick was arrested).
I need some help from the folks that know what was going on at that time in Dunklin Co. as I'm coming up blank. Jim McGhee reports that there are 2 mystery companies of this regiment that did not complete organization. Perhaps because they were scattered in Dunklin Co in March 63? Both of these men are reported as being prisoners of Col. McNeil. McMurry too ends up at Myrtle Street Prison but is listed as prisoner of war and promptly sent to Fort Delaware for exchange on April 22, 1863, he then appears on a paroled exchange list at City Point VA in May 1863. I have found nothing about service after that.
Transcription of his statement at Myrtle Street is as follows:
Statement of John J. McMurray, a prisoner at the Myrtle Street Prison, made the 21st day of March 1863.
My age is 30 years. I live in Mississippi County Arkansas. I was born in Union County Kentucky
I was captured in Dunklin County Missouri on or about the 5th day of March 1863.
The casue of my arrest was I was in the rebel service.
I was in arms against the United States and was a Captain of F Company, Col Clark's Regt. I was sworn into the Rebel service about the 11th day of December 1862 by Col. Clark in Dunklin County Missouri for 3 years or during the war.
When captured I was taken to Bloomfield Missouri and remained there one night and was examained by the Provost Marshall and was sent to Myrtle Street prison about the 11th of March, 1863.
I never took the oath of allegiance to the United States.
Subscribed by the prisoner, the day first named in my presence: John 'J' McMurry / H Rufus, Captain
The prisoner makes additional statements as follows in answer to questions:
1. How many times have you been in arms during the rebellion? Twice.
2. What commanders have you served under? Genl Thompson, Col Clark.
3. What battles or skirmishes have you been in? Frederick's town, Clarkston, Fort Pillow river boat fight, Gunn boat fights at Memphis.
4. Did you have arms, or out on picket, or what part did you take in action? I was Captain at all the above battles.
5. Have ever furnished arms, or ammunition, horse, provisions, or any kind of supplies to any rebels? State when, where, and how often. I have supplied 4 or 5 horses to my company and three guns.
6. Was there any Rebel camp near you that you did not give notice of to U.S. Troops? (No answer)
7. have you ever been with anyone taking or pressing horses, arms or other property? I have never taken anything from any citizen. I have captured property from parties in arms.
8. Are you enrolled in the E.M.M., loyal or disloyal? No.
9. Are you a southern sympathizer? Yes.
10. Do you sincerely desire to have the southern people put down in this war, and the authority of the U.S. Government over them restored? No.
11. How many slave have you? Two.
12. have you a wife - how many children? No wife have one child.
13. What is you occupation? Farmer.
14. What relatives have you in the rebellion? None that I know of.
15. Have you been in any rebel camp? If so, whose, whene, where, and how long? What did you do? Did you leave it or were you captured in it? I first joined the rebel army in April '61 and have been in ever since. I went to Dunklin Co to report to Col. Clark and was captured by Col. McNeil. I wished to be exchanged, until then I should like to be paroled. I can give bond in this city.
Attest: John 'J' McMurry
Statement at Bloomfield: I Capt. John J McMurry age 30 years reside in Mississippi Co Ark. was elected Capt. Company F in Sept. 1862 was in Clark's Regt. Captured March 5/63 Col McNeil com. Signed before me March 6/63 James A Reid, Asst Provost Marshall, Bloomfield MO.
There is also a receipt dated Dec 24, 1862 where Capt. McMurry turned over a sizable number of horses and goods captured by his company "from the Federals near New Madrid" It lists 1 wagon, 2 mules, 14 horses, several guns, and harness, total value $2,920.00. It also lists eight double barrelled guns and a large Sibley captured Dallas about a month after leaving Arkansas.
So it appears Major John H McMurry did indeed make Prices raid in 1864 and may be a better fit than Capt John J McMurry of Clark's Regiment. These are the only two officers with the name McMurry that I have found with any chance of being in the area of NE Arkansas at the time of Shelby's order. I have posted all the info above as it relates to Company F, Clark's Regiment as it appears it did exist at least for a little while and was active in the bootheel area of Missouri late 1862 to early 1863. Any help in filling in the gaps would be appreciated. Spelling for both men is 50/50 McMurry/McMurray
John R