Scurry was born in
Gallatin, Tennessee. He moved to
Texas in 1839 and became a lawyer and district attorney. Scurry was married to Janette (Jeannitte) B. Sutton on December 17, 1846, and had seven children. He represented
Red River County in the Ninth Congress of the
Republic of Texas in 1844 and 1845 and served in the House of Representatives in 1845, promoting the annexation of Texas to the
United States. Enlisting as a private in the
Mexican–American War, Scurry rose to the rank of
major by July 1846. Afterward, he practiced law in
Clinton, Texas, and was co-owner and editor of the
Austin State Gazette. In 1856 Scurry became a delegate to the state Democratic nominating convention, and in 1861 he was a delegate to the Secession Convention. In July 1861, he became a
lieutenant colonel in the Fourth Texas Cavalry, part of the Sibley Brigade which launched the
New Mexico Campaign at the outset of 1862. He distinguished himself as an officer at the
Battle of Valverde, February 21–22, 1862, and as well by commanding the Confederate forces in the
Battle of Glorieta Pass, March 26–28, 1862. He was promoted to full
colonel on March 28, 1862, and subsequently played a key role in leading the Confederate retreat from New Mexico. He was promoted to
brigadier general on September 12, 1862. Along with fellow New Mexico Campaign veterans, he helped recapture
Galveston, Texas on January 1, 1863. Scurry took command of the Third Brigade of Walker's Texas Division in October 1863 and led them into the
Battle of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, April 1864. The Third Brigade then transferred to
Arkansas to fight against Gen.
Frederick Steele, who was about to invade Texas. Scurry was killed at the
Battle of Jenkins' Ferry on April 30, 1864, and was buried in the State Cemetery at
Austin, Texas in May 1864. Texas erected a thirteen-foot-high white marble shaft over his grave.
Scurry County, Texas, is named in his honor. ==See also==