Hurst and his unit gained a reputation for harsh tactics, angering Confederates and even leading to his brief reimprisonment by Union officials.
Breckenridge's diary further provided evidence that the ill reputation gained by the regiment was largely due to the actions of Hurst and his fellow officer, William Jay Smith, as well as a handful of their direct subordinates.
On March 4, 1865, he was elected as a Unionist[2] to represent District 21 of the Tennessee Senate, which at that time consisted of Hardeman, Hardin and McNairy counties.
He resigned after the Senate session ended on June 12, 1865, to accept a position as circuit judge.
The book, In the Shadow of the Devil, further details Hurst's colorful postwar career.
He died in poverty in 1882 and remained a hated figure among Confederate sympathizers.