The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-02
O ID I r U AR Y.


This well known and popular citizen OF New York
died at his residence IN Harlem yesterday morn
ing OF paralysis. Mr.. Murphy was grandson OF
John Murphy, an lrshman who came to the United
States In 1793 settling In this city, where he carried
on an extensive business as a brewer. His father,
Thomas Murphy, born In the metropolis in I79s,
but received his education In Toulouse, France. He
became prominent In politics, and IN 1881 repre-
scented Westchester county In the State Legislature.
The subject OF this sketch was himself born
in Northcastle, Westcheser county, on the 14th day
OF February, 1927 and was consequently still IN the
prime OF life His mother sister Of the gallant
Colonel Alexander R. THOMPSON. who fell at the
head OF his regiment 1.-THE Sixth infantry at the
battle with the Indians at OKee -cho-bee, Florida,
during the war on the peninsula.
On the 18th OF February, 1S4l, Mr.. Murphy en-
tered the United States Navy as a midshpman, and
was ordered 10 the sloop-of-war Fairfield, on which
vessel he served three years and seven months in
the Mediterranean. On the 3lst OF october. 1874,
he joined the flagship Cumberland and remained In
her until the END OF her cruise In November OF the
following year. On his return home he was ordered
to the Naval Academy, but had not been there long
before the war with Mexico was proclaimed and
called all the junior officers into active service. Mr.
Murphy was sent to the frigate United States,
which vessels destination was changed from Vera
Cruz to the west coast OF Africa, where the de-
ceased served six months. In February. 1S47, he
joined the bomb brig Stromboli one Of the fleet
intended for the reduction Of the Castle OF
San Juan d'Ulloa; but on her arrival at Vera Cruz
that place had already surrendered, and she was
ordered to blockade the mouth of the Coatzacoalces
river. In the month OF June following the Strom-
boil participated in the attack on and capture OF
Tapasco, and during the operations Mr.. Murphy
commanded the first division OF artillery. He was
subsequently engaged Ia boat service along the
''sota Rento," and, becoming invaded from ex-
posure, was ordered to leave in November, and on
his recovery resumed mis- studies the Academy in
February, 1s4s In July Of the same year he gradu.
ated and in January s9 in connection with Captain
Jeife.s, OF The United States Navy, wrote and pub
lshed a work entitled Nautical Routine. with
the Naval School as the text book and used as such
for more Than ten years, when 1t was displaced by
the more comprehensive work OF Captain Luce. On
September 2s, ls4s he received his warrant as
i iS47. 'N1'' ~
During 1850 Mr.. Murphy served as watch officer
on board the steamship Atlantic OF the Collins line
after leaving which he joined the surveying exped-
tepec, under the direction OF Major Barnard,
OF the engineers. who appointed him as
photographic division, under Lieutenant Temple.
After aiding the survey OF the CoatzacoalcOs ana
JaltePec rivers, mt: Murphys division crossed to
and Sailna Cruz. Mr. Murphy next explored the
Rio del Corte ana the country bordering Chapas,
and collected data for the Official reports on the
botany, mlneralogy and productive industry OF tie
Isthmus. In May. 1851, he explored the river
lspanapan aud the country OF that tributary to
the boundary line OF the State of Tabasco. In July
the expedition returned to the United States, when
Mr.. Murphy was elected member OF the American
Institute, ana spent some SIX months In preparing
the reports for publication.
The smaness OF the navy offering but little pros
resigned and engaged IN the profession OF civil en-
cheering. His education as an engineer not being
ne Of Of n
mans JoW1ad. In November, 1858, he was en-
ployed by President Pierce as confidential agent Of
the government TO visit the capital OF Mexico in
connection with the settlement Of the Messa
Valley dispute, and performed successfully
return home he resumed his professional
pursuits, and in 1855 was appointed q city
sewers, piers, city railroads development, Of streets,
DC. During the following year he was appointed
Constructing Engineer At the Omitted states Navy
important questions. In July, 1858, Mr.. Murphy
was chosen experimenting Engineer and Agent OF
Orleans and, with force Of lao whites and 800
Indians, constructed wagon road across the
MISSION Of 'G mas s and passengers TO ca Cali
During May, lS49, he made a survey OF the port OF
Hustuico, on the southern coast OF Oaxaco.
elected TO the State Senate from this city, serving
one term with credit. The war breaking out at the
close OF the session. he offered his services to the
government and was commissioned colonel OF the
Fifteenth regiment OF New York volunteer infantry
served in Virginia with 1t for nearly two years,
during which time he participated In the several
campaigns, especially In the memorable one on the
Peninsula, and remained with the Army OF the
Potomac until alter the battle OF Fredericksburg,
tn December, 1e62. Finding Mr.. Lincoln willing to
restore him TO the naval service, Colone Murphy de-
clned brigadier generalshp and In January, 1868,
accepted provisional appointment as lieutenant in
the navy. lie was ordered 10 report to Admiral
FOote for the purpose OF recruiting men Tor
with the Mississippi squadron, and In two weeks en-
listed $50 sailors with whom he was ordered to join
Admiral Porter, which he did. In March he was as
signed to the command Of the iron-ciad Carondeet,
and participated in all the naval operations until
March, 1864, when, being IN feeble health, he re-
signed and retired to private life. Mr.. Murphy
81 pad s s' range inc Of Ta
mountains and traced out the mineral zone which
included the petroleum springs or the lsthmus. In
1850, ne again visited Tehuantepec, and was EN-.
ployed in developing the railroad and telegraph
lines between the Gulf OF Mexico and the Pacinc
Ocean. This work occupied HIM until May, 1857,
when he came back TO New YORK, and In August OF
the same year was nominated and confirmed
appointment From that time to his death he re-
manned in New York, variously occupied in literary
and engineering pursuits.
Personally Mr.. Murphy was most estimaple
gentleman, kind hearted, charitable and hospitable.
As friend he firm and steadfast, and in all his
private and professional transactions was noted
for his strict integrity In November 1S4s he mar
ried Mary Teresa Mooney. BY whom he had seven
children, four OF whom, with his wife, survive him.
a numerous circle Of friends, TO whom he had
attached himself by his many amiabe and sterling
traits OF character
General Daumas.
General Melchior Joseph Eugene Daumas died re-
Gently at MS home At Cambanes, near Bordeaux,
France, aged slxty-nine. He greatly distinguished
himself in the former wars In Algeria and especially
in the battles against Abdel Kader He at one time
filled the post Of Director for Algerian Affairs IN the