Private James T. Murphy was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 25, 1865 in Petersburg, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company L, 1st Connecticut Artillery. Murphy was about 26 years old.
11 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on October 29, 1886, 21 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Sergeant.
Murphy was born in 1839 in Canada — one of 60 recipients born in Canada. His Medal of Honor is credited to New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut. Murphy died on January 11, 1904 in New Haven, Connecticut, at the age of about 65. He is buried at St. Bernard's Cemetery in New Haven, Connecticut.
Murphy is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 57 credited to Connecticut.
Official Medal of Honor citation
A piece of artillery having been silenced by the enemy, this soldier voluntarily assisted in working the piece, conducting himself throughout the engagement in a gallant and fearless manner.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1839Born in Canada
- March 25, 1865Act of valor — Petersburg, VirginiaAge about 26. Company L, 1st Connecticut Artillery
- October 29, 1886Medal of Honor presented
- January 11, 1904Died in New Haven, ConnecticutAge about 65.
- Resting placeSt. Bernard's CemeteryNew Haven, Connecticut
