The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-12-24
McPHERSoN'S DEATH.
Confederate Account Of the Circumstances Con.
.... nected with II.

. nected with II.
8. Halbert, in Philadelphia Times.
Having seen In recent issue Of the week
ly Times Orderly Thompson's account Of the
death of General Mcpherson Il will give you
the Confederate version of that affair. Gen.
eral Mcpherson was killed by Private Robt.
ID. Compton, of Co. /, 24th Texas Regiment,
Granbury's brigade, ,Cleburne's division. MIR.
Compton is still living; is citizen Of Waco,
Texas, and is regarded by all who know him hin
as an upright, honorable man. The follow
incidents in regard to the killing Of General
Mcpherson have taken down from his own
lips, and they are corroborated by several Of
his comrades still living in Waco and yicini-
ty. Among these 1 will mention Colonel
W. A. Taylor, who commanded the gath
Texas during the war. As Is well-known,
General Mcpherson was killed at the battle
OF Atlanta, July ~, 1854. In this engage
ment the advanced pickets Of the s4th Texas
were commanded by Sergeant Fred. .Kron.
He and Private Compton and another SOL
dier, whose name is not now remembered,
were some distance In advance. The ground
which they occupied was covered with dense
woods, with much underbrush and thickets,
interspersed with rayines.. After driving in
the Federal soldiers in their, front, their at
tention was attracted to q small party of
mounted men rapidly riding parallel to them
yet somewhat "angling" toward them
Their first momentary impression was that II
was a charge of cavalry--the woods being Sc
| thick that the Confederates could not well
| distinguish their number. But 1t proved tt
be General Mcpherson and staff. When the
General, who was somewhat In advance, hae
approached within twenty PAGES, he was or
dered by Compton to halt. Mcpherson made
no halt nor reply to this, but instanti,
wheeling his horse he veered his course liz
tie more to the right and continued hi'
speed. Compton then fired, and Mcpherson
instantly fell from his horse, still, however
4 holding on to the reirs. The remainder o.
the party made their escape, except courie
and a surgeon. They Immediately surren
dered to the pickets, the surgeon saying tt
the Confederates: {" My God, you have Kill
ed General Mcpherson These two--th'
surgeon and the courier-then sprang to th'
assistance of the dying General. He wa
MORALLY wounded, the ball OF Compton
striking him in the left of the small Of th'
back aud coming out at the right breast
The Confederate litter corps thent took charg
of his body and bore it back toward the rear
but in the turning fortunes Of the battle !
was recaptured a few minutes afterward D.
the Federals. General McPheIson's horse
which was captured by Compton at the fal
of its rider, was presented by him to Genera
Smith, at that time commanding Granbury'
brigade. This horse, however, was kilie
an hour or so afterward by Federal shel
while in the possession Of General Smitl
Compton took from the body of McPherso
fine gold watch, but the next day, at til
request of General Cleburne, 1t was returne
under flag Of truce to the officer command
ing the Federal pickets, and was, we under
stand, finally restored to General McPhel
! sons family. Compton also captured froi
| McPherson's saddle canteen Of fine whisk
which the pickets duly confiscated to the
\ own use. General Sherman, In his " Men
oirs," states that McPherson's horse cam
back to the Federal lines wounded, blee'
ing and riderless." In this he was certain
in error, for the horse was captured and pr
| sented to General Smith, and shortly afte
| ward killed, as herein stated. 1t was pc
haps about 2 o'clock in the afternoon whe
! General Mcpherson was killed. The abo'
\ incidents in regard to bis death may be SAT
ly relied on. They can be attested by Co
| federates still living who were eyewitness
of the affair. .".. .... ..I