Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-10-23

Col. Murphy was born in Chilicothe,
Ohio, in 1927. He spent two years in
College at Athens, o, connected with
which institution WAS a military profes-
solship, filled by 81 graduate of West
Point, under whom he first studied the
science of war. Prof. Daniel Read, now
of this place. was then Vice President of
this institution. From Athens, Colonel
Murphy went to Oxford College in the
same State, where he also graduated in
due time. In 1914, he was appointed
bearer of dispatches to Texas, and carried
out with him the Treaty of Annexation.
In l84S, he graduated at the Law School
in Cincinnati, and was admitted to the
bar of that city, where he remained in
practice of his profession until 1850,
when he was appointed Discussing Off
Ger in the expedition to survey the Mex
lean Boundary, under Commissioners
Bartlett, Col. Emory, and Col. Graham.
While in this service, he crossed the con-
tinent twice, and here also became associ-
ated with Major (now GeneraD Burnside.
This expedition was an excellent school
in which to develope the qualities and
acquire the character of true soldier.
Every man was armed to the teeth, and
under the most rigid military discipline.
The party was constantly exposed to all
the perllS and privations of life on the
Western plains and mountains, and had
frequent and san@uinary encounters with
the hostile bands of sr,ages who roam
over these wilds. On returning from this
expedition, Mr.. Murphy was appointed
Consul to China. While there. the great
Chinese rebellion broke out. The city of
Shanghai in which he resided, was taken
by the rebels, ard subsequently, bcsieged
by the Imperial forces. During the siege.
several forts were erected near the quar-
tiers of the foreign population, which en-
dargpred their lives and property. The
resident Consuls demanded the evacua-
ton OF these forts, five in number, and
occupied by $4,000 Chinese troops. The
Chinese commander refused to comply
with their demand. w hereupon the Eng
llsh, American and French Consuls, with
a force 200 men, principally sailors and
MARINES. with three twelve pound howit-
zers, made an attack on the forts, and.
after severe engagement, compelled the
Chinese to abandon them. Col. Murphy
commanded the American part of the
forces on this occasion, and contributed
greatly to the success of the attack. AT.
ter this, although the siege lasted eighteen
months, foreigners were ever treated with
great respect and consi deration.
In 1857, on account Of the i'll health
OF himself and wife, Col. Murphy returned
to the United States, and resigned his
Consulship. Shortly after this, he Sc
lected Wisconsin as his home, and was
elected President of the st. Croix Manu-
featuring and Improvement Company,
since which time he resided at st. Croix
Falls, until appointed Colonel of the sth
Regiment,
Courteous and gentlemanly in social
intercourse, patriotic in spirit, faithful and
efficient in the discharge of public duties,
Col. Murphy's career hitherto justifies the
confident expectation of his friends, that
he will render valuable services to his
country, in this most momentous epoch
OF our history. Mil,yaukee Sentinel
How long will you live? You will
live forever. And your life there will
depend on your life here. Every day, as
you complete it, will reappear in the life
to come. Every hour, every moment, as
it hurIies on its way, leaves page to be