Alexander Murray (1816-1884)

Rear Admiral Alexander Murray
Commander A. Murray in 1866
Born	(1816-01-02)January 2, 1816 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Died	November 10, 1884(1884-11-10) (aged 68) Washington, D.C.
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1835–1878
Rank	Rear Admiral
Commands held	USS Louisiana USS Augusta Philadelphia Navy Yard Pacific Squadron
Battles/wars	Mexican–American War American Civil War
Relations	Commodore Alexander Murray (grandfather)

Rear Admiral Alexander Murray (2 January 1816 – 10 November 1884) was an flag officer in the United States Navy, who served during the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War.

Murray was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was entered the Navy as a midshipman on August 22, 1835. He served aboard the schooner Grampus in the West Indies Squadron in 1836-38, and on the steamer Poinsett off the Atlantic coast in 1839-41, receiving promotion to passed midshipman on June 22, 1841.

He then served on the sloop Vincennes in the Home Squadron in 1841-43, and the schooner Shark in the Pacific Squadron in 1844-45. He returned to the Home Squadron in 1846, to participate in the capture of Alvarado, Tabasco, Tuxpan, Veracruz, and Tampico during the Mexican War.

Murray then served in the Coast Survey in 1846-49, and was promoted to master on March 23, 1847, and received his commission as lieutenant on August 12, 1847.

Murray served aboard the razee Independence in the Mediterranean Squadron in 1849-51, and was stationed on the receiving ship at Norfolk in 1852-53. He was placed on the Reserved List on September 13, 1855, not returning to Active status until August 12, 1857. Murray then served on the Coast Survey in 1858-60.