Following the Battle of Helena, General Theophilus H. Holmes, the Confederate commander at Helena, accused McRae of “misbehavior before the enemy” for allegedly failing to make an attack. A court of inquiry disagreed, clearing McRae of all charges. McRae also was a part of engagements at Hill’s Plantation (Woodruff County) on July 7, 1862, and Fitzhugh’s Woods (Woodruff County) on April 1, 1864. After the war, McRae returned to Searcy and resumed his law practice, which he continued until 1881, when he became deputy secretary of state.