Confederate Military Service:
Newton J. McRight enlisted at Cherokee, AL on Dec 21, 1861 as a private in William Houston's Independent Cavalry Company.

In late Jan 1862, Houston's Company and David C. Hubbard's Company of Alabama Rangers boarded a steamboat in Florence, AL and rushed north to serve in the Fort Henry Campaign. On Feb 5th and 6th, Houston's, Hubbard's and Padget's Spy companies provided the only defense of Fort Heiman, KY. They were forced to evacuate to Paris, TN without their tents and cooking equipment by overwhelming numbers of Federal infantry commanded by General C.F. Smith.

In early April 1862, Houston's entire company was transferred to become Company H, 1st Confederate Cavalry. Because of their experience, Houston's Company was released for independent action and outpost duty early in the Shiloh Campaign.

In 1863, Captain William Houston resigned his command and Newton J. McRight's company transferred to Company L, 4th Alabama (Roddey's) Calvary. Private McRight served with the 4th Alabama Calvary through the 1863 battles of Streight's Raid, the Chickamauga Campaign and the Chattanooga Campaign until his capture at Florence, AL on Jan 25, 1864.

Newton J. McRight passed through the Louisville Military Prison and arrived at the Rock Island Barracks Military Prison, IL on Feb 6, 1864. He was admitted to the Rock Island Prison Hospital on Apr 14, 1865 and died of a brain abscess on Apr 30, 1865.

Newton J McRight