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Note: [gurley.FTW] PROOFS IN POSSESSION: Parentage: Birth: Marriage: Death: Other Proofs: A. E. Gurley's Book A.E. Gurley "Davis Robert Gurley, of Waco, Texas, formerly of Franklin (now Colbert) County, Alabama, was married to Louisa Wells Earle, April 16, 1865, daughter of Dr. Baylis Earle and Ann Eliza Harrison of Waco, Texas. Gen. Davis R. Gurley was born in Alabama and removed with his father to Texas in 1853. educated at Wesleyan College, Florence, Alabama, where he graduated with first honors in 1857, delivering the valedictory address. Among his classmates were Gen. L. S. Ross, C.S.A. and Gen. Daniel McCook, U.S.A. He fought as a Ranger during the fifties in the Texan Indian skirmishes. He studied law, and was prepared for admission to the bar in 1861, but the onset of the war changed his plans. He entered the Confederate Army in 1861, as a first lieutenant; subsequently captain on staff of Gen. L. S. Ross and Earl Van Dorn, receiving his promotion as major and assistant adjutant-general during the last year of the war, while under the command of Gen. Stephen D. Lee. He fought in the battles of Elkhorn, Hatchie Bridge, Corinth, Keneson, Mt. Franklin, the battles around Atlanta, and others. At the conlusion of the war he settled on his estate called "Liberty Hall," outside Waco. He is one of the most prominent Texas Masons, being a past eminent grand commander os the State Commandery of Knights Templars. He was adjutant-general of the state of Texas during the administration of Governor Throckmorton; brigadier-general and assistant adjutant-general of the staff of General John B. Gordon, Com'd'g United Confederage Veterans, and member of Pst De Hume Camp of Confederate Veterans, Waco; president, board of trustees, Waco Female College, and an enthusiastic sportsman. There are volumes of references to the confederate services of Davis R. Gurley in the official records of the war published by the U. S. Government; e.g., in Series I, Vol. XXII, pt. !, page 24: Col. J. W. Whitfield, Texas Legion, commanding Second Brigade, in a report on the battle of "Spring Hill," Tenn. says: "I cannot close this report without tendering my sincere thanks to Capt. Davis R. Gurley, my assistant adjutant-general, for his distinguished bravery and the valuable aid rendered me on the day of the battle, and I especially recommend him to the favorable consideration of the commanding general."
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