In the 1860 U.S. Census, Edward Wray is listed as a native of Pennsylvania, 21 years old, a clerk (possibly working for merchant Joseph W. McClurg), and living in a boarding house in Linn Creek, Camden County, Missouri. Wray married Cornelia Murphy on January 8, 1861, in Linn Creek.

He was mustered into service as captain of Company D, 29th Missouri Infantry, on September 6, 1862, at Benton Barracks (St. Louis). After several weeks encamped at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the 29th began to move south to participate in Major General William T. Sherman’s attempt to capture Vicksburg, Mississippi.

On December 29, 1862, Sherman’s troops launched an assault on the Confederate defenses north of the city, but were repulsed with heavy casualties. In that assault, Captain Wray was struck in the head by a musket ball, killing him instantly.

Brigadier General Francis P. Blair, Jr. described his brigade’s assault on Chickasaw Bluffs:

“When the signal of attack was given the brigade rushed with impetuosity to the attack and pressed over every obstacle and through a storm of shell and rifle-bullets, and carried the first and second ranges of rifle-pits with an irresistible charge.” “The list of casualties in the regiments under my command,” Blair concluded, “embracing nearly one-third of entire number who went into the field, attests the courage and obstinacy with which they struggled for victory, and which natural obstacles alone placed beyond our grasp.”

The 29th Missouri suffered 150 casualties in the assault (2 officers and 17 enlisted men killed, 4 officers and 66 enlisted men wounded, 4 officers and 57 enlisted men captured or missing).

Wray’s widow applied for and received a widow’s pension in 1863.

Tintype by unknown photographer.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 12193