The National tribune., 1885-07-23
McPHERSON'S DEATH.
The Sad Story Of His Orderly, Who Saw Him Die

Sauy, IA.
McPHERSON'S DEATH.
The Sad Story Of His Orderly, Who Saw Him Die.
To THE EDITOR: find that there is a general
desire expressed by the old soldiers, not only
of Gen. J. b. McPherson's immediate command,
but by all soldiers of the " late unpeasantness,"
to hear statement from me of the manner in
which that gallant commander yielded up his
life. Frequently am requested by letter and
through the newspapers, to write for the press
what know of this sad affair. know that
my statement will be received with sneers by
some and that will be severely criticised by
others, who, while acting through the best OF
motives possibly, have, in their desire for no
torety in this connection, allowed their tongues
and pens great scope, to put it mildly.
Twenty-one years almost have elapsed since
the July day that witnessed the fall of one of
the greatest Generals produced by the war;
when, with my hOnored commander, l rode
through the storm of bullets one of which was
fated to cut him off in the vigor of his young
and useful manhood, and assert, with all sim
cerity, that / am the only man competent to
testify as witness in the case, as alone was
with him when the Confederate
BULLET LAID HIM Low,
and was have 10 doubt, the last Federal
who saw him before the breath of life had left
him.
On the 22d of July, 1864, Gen. Mcpherson
commanded the Sixteenth and Seventeenth
Corps before Atlanta. The two corps were
separated by reason of the fact that the Seven
teenth had been dispatched to destroy the At
lanta g. Eastern Railroad, and the General,
fearing that Hood would push in between the
two corps, set out to Gen. Smiths Division.
He was accompanied by Gems. Hickenlooper
and Steele, Capt. Gle, and myself acting as
the Generals Orderly. As we were about to
cross Peach Tree Creek we were met by num-
Der of teams crossing towards US at terrific
speed, and in great confusion. Mcpherson
said: "Gile, stop those teams; they'll get up
general stampede" Gile left US, in obedience
to the order he had received. About hum
dred yards farther on we were met by large
number of additional teams, which were also
stampeding. Mcpherson here issued orders to
Hickenlooper and Steele, who Immediately
rode away, leaving us to ride on in the direc-
tion of the enemy. After riding about quar-
ter of a mile we halted near woods. Nc
Pherson gazed anxiously around to discover
from whence the bullets that were whistling
about our ears came. Here Capt. John B.
Raymond, (nOw a member of Congress from
Nebraska, l believe,) of Gen. Leggett's staff,
galloped up and said:
"Gen. Mcpherson, Gen. Leggett wants to
know what he shall do; they have crowded
him back"
MCfncrSOn replied.
"Tell Gen. Leggett to straighten his lines
parallel with this road, just as quick as God
will let you"
Capt. Raymond turned and rode back at full
speed, Mcpherson and myself following about
SO yards in his rear. In few moments we
were in the woods, and as Capt. Raymond
rounded slight bend in the road just ahead of
us roar of musketry greeted our ears, and
Raymond's horse fell, throwing it's rider in
the leaves to the left. Immediately the shrub
berry became alive with gray uniforms and
probably a hundred muskets were leveled upon
Mcpherson and myself, and from the front and
left the cry Halt haiti" rang out. The
General checked his horse with a suddenness
that nearly threw the animal off its feet,
and lifting his hat in polite salute, wheeled
sharp to the right and gave spurs to his horse.
At the second jump of the horse the General
FELL TO THE GROUND,
a musket ball having pierced him through the
back.
1t is nonsense to claim, as has been done,
that single shot was fired, as volley land
heavy one) was hurled at US. / was leaning
over OH my horses neck to escape the fire from
behind, and just as l saw Mcpherson fall
either struck against tree Or was dragged off
by heavy bough, and for a few moments lay
stunned. Recovering quickly, I hurried to
where Mcpherson lay, about 10 feet from me,
and STOPPING to raise him, asked: General,
are you hurt?" He answered: "Oh Orderly,
l am" The Confederates did not know whom
they had shot until they heard me call his
name.
In the account given by the Confederate
Capt. Richard Beard he says: Fright by Nc
Phersons side lay man who, if at all hurt,
was but slightly wounded. Pointing to the
dead man, l asked: who is this man lying
here?' He answered. with tears in his eyes
oh! sir it is Gen. Mcpherson you have
killed the best man in the Union army" l
was confused by the blow had received on
the head, and do not remember whether Capt.
Beard asked me this question or not. If he
did, must have made him the answer nearly
as he gives it,
Immediately after Mcpherson had spoken to
me he turned over on his face, Strengthened
himself out and convulsively clutched the
leaves with his hands, his body in the mean
time quivcring and trembling like an aspen
He was then in the death agony, and never
spoke afterwards. While the General was in
the throes of death was being roughly ham
died by the Confederates, and thought would
not be long in following the General "to that
bourne from whence no traveller returns" as
heard cries of "Shoot the d Yankee!" ac-
companied by the click of several muskets.
was marched to the rear, where / found 1850
Union prisoners, among whom was Capt. Ray
mond, whom had seen roll from his horse.
have received several letters from Capt Ray
mond since the war, and as he is alive he can
substantiate what / am telling you.-A. q.
THOMPSON, Georgetown, o.