The Civil War Navies Message Board

O.C. GRAY, CSA Navy (?)

Hi All:

Where was ex-Captain O. C. GRAY between 19 Aug and 16 Nov 1864, and why was he listed in 3rd Ark Cav when captured by the Feds?

Would/could someone help, or point me in the right direction to find answers?

Don't remember reading anything about it in "The War Child's Children", nor "Wheeler's Last Raid".

Oliver Crosby GRAY (1832ME-1905AR) was an icon in the education of Arkansas youth since 1860 (except the civil war period), as noted by Little Rock's Honorable George B. ROSE, Esq., his former student at St. John's College, in tribute to GRAY, printed front page obituary The Arkansas Democrat, 11 Dec 1905, also note front page, The Arkansas Gazette's 10 Dec 1905, and masonic tributes with other articles in Fayetteville papers!

Captain Oliver Crosby GRAY, served with honor, in Company A, 3rd Arkansas Cavalry Regiment, Confederate States of America's Army from enlistment, 29 Jul 1861, as 1st Sargent, to 1st Lieutenant 26 May 1862, Captain 13 Dec 1862 , commander Company A, appointed Provost Marshall Dec 1863 by Gen Armstrong, later returning as commander of Company A, serving under Cols Borland, Earle then Hobson, and Gens Van Doran, Forrest, then Wheeler, until his 17 July 1864 resignation request, written at Sandtown, GA, in order to better serve the Confederate States in its Navy, sent to Gen Cooper was honored, 19 Aug 1864.

GRAY, reportdly was captured by the Feds 16 Nov 1864 at Choctaw Bend, MS, listed in 3rd Ark Cav. (?), once reportedly at Camp Chase, OH (?), imprisoned on Ship Island, MS, exchanged 2 Mar 1865, home in Princeton, AR, 1 Apr 1865, sources; his Army records and wife's (Virginia LaFayette (Davis) GRAY (1834ME-1886AR)) 1863-1866 diary, edited, annoted and published 1983 in Arkansas Historical Quarterly by Dr. Carl H. Moneyhon, UALR.

Did Oliver join the Navy? Was he serving in the Navy when captured? Why 3 months between leaving Army and being captured?

PS:

The University of Arkansas is, this year, considering a historical marker for O.C. GRAY at site of former, GRAY HALL (1906-1966), where Mullins Library was built.

'Colonel' Oliver C. GRAY is documented as hired 8 July 1874, following seven years, last three as president at Masonic St. John's College, after successful conclusion of "The Brooks-Baxter War".

GRAY distingished himself by starting their engineering school, as well as other endevers, while his wife Virginia, Mrs. V. L. GRAY, started their art department in 1874. She served until 1881, he, except three years, one as Mayor, 1886, two as school district superintendent 1887/88, until selected superintendent of Arkansas School for the Blind, May 1895, where he died Dec 1905, after 50 years as an educator of youth.

We understand, Arkansas School for the Blind is also considering re-establishing honors, documented as once bestowed O.C. GRAY in 1869 with their first 3 story brick building built at 18th & Center in his honor, demolished 1948 for the Governors Mansion, its old bricks cleaned by prisoners, then used in the new structure.

Bill Boggess (raised in Carthage, MO)