Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-12-30
HIcPHERsON's DEATH.
A New Version of That Tragic
Event.

General Sherman, in bis memoirs
states that when the federal General
Mcpherson was killed, his horse csmC
back to the federal lines wounded
bleeding and riderless." II. S. Hal
bert, in the Philadelphia Times, gives
this account of McPberson's death.
General Mcpherson vas killed b.
private Robert d Compton, of compa
ny |, oath Texas regiment. Granbury'l
brigade, Cleburne's division. Mr.
Compton is still living, is a citizen Of
Waco, Texas, and is regarded by all
who know him az an upright, h~nora-
BILE man. The following incidents in
regard to the killing OF General Nc.
Pherson | have taken down from his
own lips, and they are corroborated by
several Of his comrades still living in
Waco and vicinity. Among these
| will mention Colonel w.
A. Taylor. who commanded the 24th
Texas regiment during the war. As
is well kuown, Gen raj Mcpherson
was killed at Atlanta, July I'D, 1864.
ln this engagement the advance pick
cts Of the Oath Texas we're covered
with dense woods, with much under.
brush and thicket', interspersed With
ravines. After driving in the federal
soldiers in their front, their attention
was attracted to a small party of
mounted men rapidly riding parallel
to them, yet Somewhat angling to-
ward them. Their first mOmentary
impression was that it was charge of
cavalry-the woods being so thick
that the confederates could not well
distinguish their number. But
it proved to be General
Mcpherson and staff. When the
general, who was sOmewhatin advance,
had approached within twenty PAGES,
he was ordered by Compton to halt.
Mcpherson made no halt nor reply to
his, but instantly wheeling his hor.
he veered his course little more to
the right aud continued his speed
'ompton then fred, and Mcpherson
instantly fell from his horse, still,
however, holding on the reins. The
remainder OF The party made their
escape, exc pit courier and a surgeon.
They Immediately surrendered to the
pickets, the surgeon saying to
he confed rates: MY God, you
have XII led General MePher-
son These two-the surgeon
and the cOurier-then spraDg to the
,ssistsnce OF the dying general. He
WIS mortally wounded, the ball of
Compton striking him in the left of
the small of the back and coming out
at the righi breast. The Confederate
litter corps then took charge of his
body and bore it back toward the
rear; but in the turning fortunes of
the battle it was recaptured few
minutes afterward by the federals.
General McPherson's horse, which
was captured by Compton at the
fall of It's rider, was presented by
him to General Smith, at that time
commanding Granbury's brigade.
This horse, however, was Killed
an hour or so afterward by a
federal shell while in possession of
General Smith Compton took from
the body of Mcpherson a fine gold
watch, but the next day, at the re.
quest Of General Cleburne, it was re-
turned uader a flag of truce to the
the officer commanding the federal
pickets, and was, we understand, final.
ly restored to General McPherson's S
lamily, Compton also captured from
MCPHERSON S saddie cahteen 0f GHe
whisky, which the pickets 'con6scat
Cd" to their own use. General Nc
PhersOn was killed about two o'clock
in the afternoon.