Murray was the scene of unrest throughout the Civil War as Union and Confederate sympathizers vied for control of western Kentucky. In August 1861 Murray secessionists reportedly shot and killed a Union man.

In 1862, citizens accused of disloyalty in strongly pro-Confederate Calloway County were arrested in federal raids. During July 1863, the Union army increased its troop strength in western Kentucky. Camps were established at Murray, Mayfield, and Feliciana to provide for greater Federal control of the region than could be conducted from Paducah, Columbus, and Fort Heiman. The camp in Murray housed 300 troops, but it was soon abandoned.

This site has local significance becuase of its association with military activities and events that achieved or affected important local objectives of the Vicksburg campaign.