The National tribune., 1891-07-30
McPHERsON,S DEATH.
What Troops Held the Left or the Seventeenth
Corps July %.

Corps July %.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The article,
Battle Of Atlanta" in the issue OF July 10,
from w. w. DeHAven. First Sergeant. Co X,
10th Wis, is quite rich. He says his First
Brigade, Third Division, Seventeenth CORPS.
formed the extreme left Of the Army Of the
Tennessee. lie seems TO know more about il
than Gen. VIM. T. Sherman. Uncle Billy, in
his official report Of the battle OF July -, says
that Gen. Mcpherson had ridden from Gen.
DOdge's column Sixteenth Corps, into a mar
row path or road that led 10 the left aud rear
Of Gen. Giles A. Smiths Fourth Division,
which was Gen. BlaiT's extreme left that a
few minutes after he had entered the woods
a sharp yolley was heard in that direction and
his horse had come out riderless, having two
wounds.
The following order was read 10 the troops Of
the Seventeenth Corps Immediately after the
battle:
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH CoRPs !
DEPARTMENT or TESsEssER
BEFoEE ATLANTA, GA, July g. 1864.
During the bloody battle Of the 22d inst in which,
this corps WAS engaged. Private Geo. J. Reynolds
Co. D. 18th Iowa was, willie ia the performance oi
his duty on the skirmish-line, severely wounded
Ina the arm. la attempting TO evade capture lac
came 60 tie spot where the late beloved aud gallant
Commander OF the Army, Ma. Gen. McPherson
was lying, MORALLY wounded, aud forgetting all
considerations Of sell, Private Reynolds chung "a
his old commander, aud amidst the roar Of battle
and storm Of bullets administered 10 the wants ol
his gallant chief quenching hIs dying thirst and
RnOTdng him such comfort AS lay Ia hia power.
After Gen. McPhersOn had bucaihed his lat, Pri.
vale Reynolds was chiefly instrumental la recover
ing his body, going with two Of his staff officers
pointing out the body ard assisting ia putting Il ia
an ambulance under heavy fire from the enemy,
while his wound was still uncared for
The noble and devoted conduct Of this soldier
cannot be too highly praised. and Is commended Ia
the consideration Of the officers aud men Of this
command
Ia consideration Of this CALAMITY and noble, un
selfish devotion. the gold medal OF honor" will
be conferred upon Private George j. Reynolds
Co ID, 18TH Iowa. la front Of his command.
This order will be read at the head OF every
BY command 81
FRANK p. BLAZE. Major. General.
/ A. J. ALEXAgDER. Lieutenant Colonel aud Assist.
ant Adlutant General.
Mai Geo. Pomutz. Provost Marshal, Seven
| teenth Corps, at that time states " that Gen
| Mcpherson was killed in the rear Of the left o
| the 18th Iowa. at the commencement Of tn,
bloody carnage OF the day." aud then the 18Th
Iowa was the extreme left regiment Of The
! Seventeenth Corps.
This should settle the point where Gen. Nc
/ Pherson was killed.
Capt. Irving A. Buck, A. A.-General, Gle
| burne's Division, states that the attack on tn,
22d Of July, 1864, near Atlanta, commenced be
tween IL and ~ o'clock. probably nearer th,
| lhiteT tnau ihc lottncr. Inc nrst on our side 4
get into il was Govan's Brigade Of Cleburne'
Division, striking short earthwork acros
the McDonough road, which was occupied b.
the 10th Iowa. The fight was rapidly takeI
mp by Cleburne's other brigadcs TO the RICH
tGovan's being the left, until il embraced al
his troops
:" have always understood that the troops il
our front were the Iowa Brigade, Of Giles A
Smiths Division. The 10th Iowa was in par
captured by Goyan. This should settle beyont
dispute as 20 which they were" And also tn
time when that battle eommeneed.-YETERAN
Salem, Mass