The National tribune., 1902-09-04
DEATH OF
GEN. MCPHERSON.
A Circumstantial Account of the
Tragedy of July u, 1864.
BY W. W. ALLEN,
Signal Officer Army of the Tennessee, San
Diego, Cal.


At this time-July % 1S64-I was {
Signal Officer with the Fifteenth Corps
and was one of the party accompanying
Gen. Mcpherson when he lost his life.
will relate in as few words as possible
some of the incidents that came under my
personal observation and which L can to
day most vividly recall.
On a timbcred hill some two miles east
from Atlanta. and about 1G0 feet south
from the Augusta Railroad, we had es-
tablShed signal station in high pine
tree. which 10 feet from the ground
branched out into three principal limbs.
across which we had constructed tri-
angular platform sufficiently large to ac-
commodate from two to three persons at
a time. and it was from this station dur
ing the forenoon of the 22d we had dis
covered large bodies of the enemy moving
out of the city in a southeasterly direc-
ton, which when reported to headquar-
ters was interpreted to mean a retreat OF
the turning of our left flank. On this and
other reports of like character Fuller $
Division of the Sixteenth Corps was or
dered to the left, taking position in rear
of our left front. and forming what is
termed refuse line This occurred
III the forenoon while Signal Officer Edge,
l think, occupied the lookout.
Immediately after an early dinner / re-
paired to lhe station and ascended the
lofty perch about 1880. and here l will
relate an incident which if it meets the
eye of any who were there at that time
they will readily recall. Our station was
reached by means 'of cleatS nailed to the
side of the tree. about two feet apart,
making Il fair kind of ladder, and from
the ground the ascent looked easy. Gen.
Logan bad just ridden up. and Capt
Whitehead. his Chief of Staff, wishing a
better view of the surroundings than could
be had from his saddle. called to know
if We would allow him to come up. Per
mission being readily granted, the climb
was at once begun, and with much ap.
parent confidence. but when he had made
about half the distance some one from
below called to him to look down and see
how high he was. This he did. and it
looked so much higher than he anticipated
that he then and there lost his nerve, and
all the taunting and jeering on the part
of his comrades to induce him to go higher
proved of no avail. The tree at this time
was swaying considerably under light
breeze. and the Captain. while hugging
the cleats closely. was planning safe re-
treat, which. he it said TO his credit. was
executed in good order but with much
greater care than he had made the ascent.
On reaching the ground Gen. Logan re-
marked: We'll, you are brave fellow
to undertake to 20 up there and then weak
en-" The Captain with considerable spirit
responded. III bet you SO you can't do
it." ''Well." said the General, ''if | took
you up you would lose your money. I al
ways go through. with what / undertake."
'Yes," the Captain said. but you will
never undertake it."
Just at this time Gen. Mcpherson and
staff rode up. most of them dismcuntins.
and a general conversation ensued lasting
perhaps 20 minutes. when to our extreme
left was suddenly heard several musket
shots in quick succession, followed by the
random rat lc of small arms. which to the
practical ear was a sure precursor of
trouble. II less time than I am writing
this all We're in their saddles. and Aids
and orderlies were Fastening to different
parts of the field with orders and for in
formation.
Capt. o. II. Howard. our Chief Signal
Officer, usually rode with Gen. McPher-
son. as voluntary Aid He was with him
on this occasion, and called to me to leave
our lookout in care o. another and ac-
company them, which / proceeded to do
in great haste, as the firing was becoming
terrific. several batteries having joined in
the chorus.
! had barely mounted my horse when
the General started at a sharp pace, first
east few rods into an open field, then
south for perhaps 40 rods to where was
parked a considerable portion of our army
train, which at this time was on the verge
of stampede. and his arrival proved very
opportune. Capt. Gle, / think. of his
staff, was left here to restore order This
was at the head of a small ravine trend |
ing south, which to the west was pro-
fected by a timbercd ridge and by a con-
siderable grove of timber to the southeast, |
hrt m ba
til reaching to and beyond a small creek
was open ground, and from this direction
came the stray shells and mimic balls that
were causing the trouble with the teams
and teamsters. From here we rode rap
idly south, crossing the said creek and fol-
lowing down its opposite bank until we
came in full view of Fuller's command
to the southeast, drawn up across an open
field south of the grove" heretofore men,
toned. He had a good position. was well
supplied with artillery, and could rake the
field for at least quarter of a mile south. |
We halted near the creek which at |
this point bears south. Immediately in |
our front the timber reached the creek |
but to our right was a narrow field be-
tween the creek and timber. ranging in |
width from five to perhaps 10 rods. and |
extending clear back in westerly direc- |
tiOn until it reached the long open field |
in which our left front, the Seventeenth |
Corps, was located. From this p int we
witnessed the repulse of a second charge |
of the enemy. and while the cheers of vic |
tory were still ringing an officer whom i
did not know, but have been since in
formed was Capt. l.. B. Raymond. Of Gen |
Leggett's staff. came riding rapidly back, |
and seeing us turned across to where we
were, saying TO Gen. Mcpherson as he ap- |
preached, General. this is no place for
you," to which the General replied, "Oh. |
I'm in no danger here" following with |
"WhOse command is in our front ~ mean |
ing what troops connected with our left |
front. The answer was, "a part of Full |
ler's." But this proved mistake as there |
was gap here of at least so rods between |
Fuller's command and the Seventeenth |
Corps. A few more words. which did |
not hear, and the said officer rode away
to the west.
The firing :. this time along Fuller's !
front was quieting down, but was very
heavy to the west. With the remark, |
''They are coming all right there" the
General, wheeling to the right, started |
back at a sharp gallop along the edge of |
the woods skirting the before e-mentioned |
narrow field south of the creek. After |
riding from 80 to 100 PAGES north of west |
he turned sharply to the left into the tim |
Der along an old wood road. which, bear |
ing southwest, led through thick growth |
of pines, oaks and underbrt.sh, soon
emerging into more open and larger tim |
Der. Here, and where the road bends to
the right. we met the enemy advancing
in a northeasterly direction. their line
touching the road at this bead as we came