The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-10
LOGAN AND MCPHERSON.
The Two Heroes OF fheu Memorable Battle before
Atlanta.

latter. 1t is mistake to say that Mcpherson
directed and did not lead his men in battle.
The writer of that article did not know of
whom he was writing, and had never been near
enough to see how Mcpherson deported him.
self in the face of an enemy. Had he been
present on that terrible 22d day of July, 1864,
in the forefront of battle, he would have been
in better position to have judged of the mettle
of that grand leader of men in the day of death
and desolation. Your correspondent was there
and, having the honor to be a member of
Maj.-Gen. Logan's staff, was in position TO see
and know great deal of the work got in that
day by the Army of the Tennessee, under the
command of Maj .-Gen. Mcpherson. Gen. Lo-
gan commanded the Fifteenth Corps, under
Mcpherson. This army or department con-
sisted of two divisions of the Sixteenth, under
Gen q. NJ. Dodge; two divisions of the Sew
enteenth, under Gen. L. p. Blair, and the
Fifteenth, under Gen. Logan. Let me say
right here that so great was the confidence of
Gen. Sherman in the ability, intelligence and
dash of Gen. Mcpherson, that this Army of
the Tennessee " was the Ranking column, and
in nearly every change of position they were
moved from right to left, or from left to right.
Gen. Sherman knew in whom he trusted, and
the trust was never betrayed As / have said,
] was member OF Gen Logan's staff, and con-
sequently knew him well and to know him was
TO love him. he was my ideal soldier, and my
ardor and love for him have not abated one
iota in the years that have interviewed since
leaving the service. He is the true and tried
friend of the soldier. But | started out to
write few words about chat ed of July re-
ferred to in the article quoted.
WHERE MCPHERSON FELL.
On that eventful day, the flank of the Sew
enteenth Corps was most effectually turned.
The enemy attacked flank and rear, compel
ling the men to fight from both sides Of their
works. The Second Division, Sixteenth Corps,
was moved from their position in line on the
double quick with orders to form on the left
of the Seventeenth In refused line In their
eager haste to assist their sorely- pressed COM
rades, they missed the direct line of march
and moved too far to the rear leaving
wide gap between their right and Blair's
left. Gen. Mcpherson anxiously awaited the
connection of the lines, and not hearing the
music of their Springfelds, he fastened over to
the Seventeenth Corps to see what was the
trouble. He was accompanied by several of
his staff and signal officers. AS he crossed the
railroad he discovered a stampede among the
teamsters, and, fearing they might create
panic, he sent his staff officers to stop the exo-
| dus, while he and the signal officers and one
orderly, proceeded on to the lines of the Sew
enteenth Corps. As the Sixteenth Corps had
not connected with the Seventeenth it became
necessary 10 find where they were. Gen
Mcpherson did not cali for body of skirmish-
ers to feel their way ont ana see if they could
find the missing Sixteenth Corps, but rode
down that little blind road that led to the rear.
| accompanied by his orderly and the signal
officers. But few rods were passed before
yoiley was fired into our faces at close range,
resulting in the deatIi of our beloved general
Never was there an officer more attached to his
men or to whom his men were more attached.
His loss was heavily felt alike by officers and
men.
During this terrible slaughter amidst the
Seventeenth Corps, Gen. Logan was engaged
along his front with heavy charging column
of the enemy. While directing operations on
his right, which had become extremely haz-
ardous by the withdrawal of the Sixteenth
| Corps, he received the sad intelligence of the
death of his commanding officer and the order
| from Gen. Sherman to assume command OF the
| Department of the Tennessee. With saddened
heart and fearful eyes he heard the sad news,
and, reading the order, bowed his head upon
! his breast for Tnonezit in deep thought Then
looking up, he exclaimed, Would to God
we're better qualified to fill the place he so
filed to perfection Realizing in It's greatest
measure the immense responsibility now rest
| ing upon him, he gave a hasty order to the
general commanding his Immediate front put
| his spurs to his gallant black steed and rode
| rapidly towards the Seventeenth Corps. Lying
across the railroad was the Second Division
| Fifteenth Corps, commanded by Gen. Morgan
/ j.. Smith, one brigade of which, with the bat
/ terieS of Capts. De Grasse and Woods, held an
| advanced line. A heavy charge was made on
| this advance line, and captured the artillery
and good many of the men. The res. pre-
/ cipitated themselves upon the main line so
| suddenly as 20 seriously affect their morale,
causing dire confusion and creating quite
| stampede. Gen. Logan refined in his foaming
/ steed SO suddenly as to set him back on his
| launches. Taking in the entire situation at a
t.Ia Il ~
/ that would inevitably follow the break in the
| line, he rode, with barred head swiftly among
| that confused mass OF soldiers. The super
human efforts put forth by Gen. Smith to halt
| his men had proved abortive, but now another
character was in their midst-an idoiized
leader was there. Witness Gen. Logan as he
rides in among them--hat in hand, hair blown
back behind his ears by the wind, his long
nusiache standing out almost straight.
those eagle eyes flashing like flames
OF living fire! Standing in his stirrups
he presented figure of determination aud ire
sistibe ioree that carried courage TO every
heart and gave strength to every limb.
a CRITICAL MoMEET.
That famous black stallion, his yg,.l horse. was
infused with the same spirit as his ii,,or
| Haiti he cries IN stentorian tones RiGing
up to coor-bearer, he seizes the co,ors, ssaI
again that voice peals forth, Halt! are you
towards Would you disgrace the proud name
Of the Fifteenth Corps? Remember Mcpherson
and avenge his death! VIII you hold this line
with me?" Yes, yes yes" came from ali
parts of the line, and back those panic-stricken
men turned panic-stricken more, but
brave, determined force that under Logan
could not be moved. Nor were they moved
again that day, though assailed by fearful odds
The dead and wounded along their front and
within their lines showed how brave and eff
cient men could be under leader equal to the
emergency. The dreadful carnage soon ceased.
The enemy were completely routed at all
points. What vas a well planned attack. and
| promised so much at one time, had turned into
a terrible, crushing defeat
The Second Brig, First Div, Sixteenth
Corps were now brought over from their posi-
| ton, where they had met heavy losses, and put
| in battle order TO charge the outer line, which
| the enemy captured from Gen. NJ. l.. Smith
! Right CALAMITY they went to the charge, re-
capturing both lost batteries and goodly
number of prisoners. This charge ended the
| fighting for that day. Thousands of private
soldiers eyinced just as much of bravery,
dash and intrepid daring as any general on the
| field. Scores OF incidents could be cleaned from
| cur camp-iires that would show deeds of daring
| performed by officers aud men OF the Army of
| the Tennessee on that memorable 22d of July
| that would eclipse the record of Napoleen's
/ Old Guard, or the English under Yelling
Ton, or any other army that ever had an exist
encs. Think Of the gallant, fearless, loved and
+ iaacnted Mcpherson, regarding not his own
lie, loving it less than his countrys flag and
h0i.oF, forgetting his own safety in his anxiety
riAx -taftf