Winchester in Frederick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Actions on the Confederate Right & Death of Col. Murray
The First Battle of Kernstown
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 29, 2026
1. Actions on the Confederate Right & Death of Col. Murray Marker
As the Union attack on the northwest side (Confederate left) of Sandy Ridge stalled, the Union commander, Col. Nathan Kimball, adjusted his offensive actions to the northeast side of the ridge. As fresh Union regiments arrived at this new point of attack, the outnumbered and uncoordinated Confederate defensive line was stretched dangerously thin.
One of these later attacking regiments was the 84th Pennsylvania Infantry, under the command of Col. William Murray whose subordinate officers had just recently attempted to have him relieved of duty due to "inefficiency ascribable to the incompetency of command."
Likely in an attempt to prove his worthiness of command, Murray led from the front, losing his horse as the 84th crossed the swale in front of you between Sandy Ridge and Pritchard's Hill. As the 84th closed in on the right flank of the Confederate line defended by Lt. Col. John Patton's 21st Virginia Infantry and the 1st Virginia (Irish) Battalion, Col. Murray was killed instantly when a Confederate bullet smashed through the 84th emblem on his hat. He thus became the first colonel leading a Pennsylvania state
this page online
(Sidebar):
Lt. Col. John Patton was one of seven Patton brothers who fought for the Confederacy. These brothers included George S. Patton Sr., the grandfather of the famous WWII general. And unlike his brothers George (mortally wounded at Third Winchester) and Tazwell (killed on Pickett's Charge, Battle of Gettysburg), John Patton survived the war, as ill health would bring an end to his active service not long after this battle.
(Caption):
Col. William Murray
Erected 2026 by Kernstown Battlefield Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 39° 8.754′ N, 78° 12.733′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Virginia, in Frederick County. It can be reached from Jones Road (Virginia Route 621) 0.4 miles south of Cedar Creek Grade ( Route 622), on the left when
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 29, 2026
2. Actions on the Confederate Right & Death of Col. Murray Marker
Red sign in the distance: "Road Track Circa 1860" (Unnamed Farm Road on the marker map).
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Other Actions On Sandy Ridge (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sandy Ridge (about 400 feet away); Final Actions on Sandy Ridge (about 400 feet away); Caring For the Wounded and Dead (about 500 feet away); Jackson's Artillery on Sandy Ridge
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 29, 2026
3. Actions on the Confederate Right & Death of Col. Murray Marker
The "Col. Murray Death Site" marker is in the distance.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 29, 2026
4. Col. Murray Death Site Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 7, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
