Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-07-25
MAJOR GENERAL JAMES BIRDsEY
MCPHERSON,

The whole country is saddened to-day by the
intelligence OF tho death Of Major General Nc
Pherson, killed in battle on Friday, the 22d,
before Atlanta. He was born in Ohio, Nov
20, 1928, and had not quite rounded out his
thIrty-sixth year when he fell, fighting In one
OF the grandest campaigns Of the war. Hewas
twsntyaone years of age when he entered West
Point Academy, and graduated In 1858, with
honors. He was assistant superintendent Of
the construction Of forts for the defence Of New
York harbor, and was afterward superintend-
ing engineer in the construction of Fort Della
ware. He also had the charge of the building
OF the fort on AlcAtross Island, In the harbor
OF San Francisco.
AT. the commencement Of the war he was
promoted to the rank Of Captain, and placed
In command Of the defences of Boston hasbor.
He was Afterwards appointed to Gen. Halleck's
staff, with the rank OF Lieutenant Colonel, and
by him assigned to Gen. Grant, then command
Ing the Tennessee and Cumberland army, and
distinguished himself at the battle OF Shiloh.
Soon after Shiloh he was made Brigadier
General, and placed in charge Of the military
railroads in West Tennessee, SO important to
military operations In that region. On the 9Th
October, 1862, he was promoted to Major Gen
eral, and placed In command of Bolivar, Ten
nessee. He led the right wing of the army in
the advance into Northern Mississippi in the
winter Of 1862, and was appoiuted to the com.
mand Of the 17th army corps in January, 1868.
His corps LEFT Memphis for Vicksburg In Feb.
ruary, 1868, and after crossing the Mississippi
1t figured conspicuously In all the battles o
Grants glorious campaign against Vicksburg
They fought at Port Gibson, Raymond, Jack
son, Champion's Hill, and Big Black. Th
battle at Raymond, the heaviest Of the mino
battles OF the war, was fought exclusively b.
part OF McPherson's corps. He participate,
In the assaults on Vicksburg Of May 10Th an
22d, and held the centre OF the army durin
the Siege OF the place. The mining and othe
engineering operations of the siege were supei
intended by Gen. Mcpherson. One OF hi
brigades (Gen. Leggett's) made the last asssu
upon Vicksburg on the 25th OF June.
When Gen. Pemberton concluded to surrer
der Vicksburg, Gen. Mcpherson was one {
the two Generals selected by Gen. Grant t
assist him in negotiating the terms Of the sui
render, and In consideration of the importan
part taken by him In the siege his was the onl
corps ordered to occupy the city.
He took a prominent part in Sherman
famous marching raid to Meridian, on th
eastern border of Mississippi, after which h
corps was ordered TO rendezvous at Hunt
vile, Alabama. His movements since, in Il
campaign of Chattanooga and Atlanta, are f
miliar to our readers. He met his death ju
as those who knew his habits in the field ofte
predicted he would meet 1t. He had no fear
death, and exposed himself to danger TO a
gree that seemed to others to border upc
recklessness.
Gen. Mcpherson possessed eminently all Il
qualities Of the true soldier. Some weeks al
the Richmond Examiner ascribed TO him main
the signal successes Of our army in Mississippi
As an engineer he had hardly superior in oil
service, and in field operations he was lik
wise eminently skilful. His department t,
wards all brought In contact with him, high
low, was such as to win their esteem and a,
miration.
He was never violent In speech" by gr
clous" was the rudest form of oath he ey
uttered--and his kindness OF manner and fire.
dom from Jealousy OF other commanders lift
him above the enmities that embitter the liv
OF many officers OF the army.
Ofscotch parentage, he delighted In the at
Ietlc sports Of that country. He was six fe
tall, remarkably sinewy and muscular, and
tossing the bar and quitting the stone" f.
could equal him. When he hurled the bar