Evening star., 1945-03-25


later Gen. William T. Sherman made his
report of the occurrence to Adjt. Gen.
Thomas as follows:
''It is my painful duty to report that
Brig. Gen. James B. Mcpherson, United
States Army, major general of volunteers
and commander of the Army of the
Tennessee in the field, was killed by
shot from ambuscade about noon yes
terday. At the time of this fatal shot
ne was on horseback, placing his troops
in position near the city of Atlanta, and
was passing by a cross-road from a
moving column toward the flank of
troops that had already been established
on the line.
He had qI tied me but few minutes
before and as on his way to see in
person to tk execution of my orders.
About the time of this sad event the
enemy had sailed from his intrench-
ments at Atlanta, and by a circuit had
got to the left and rear of this very
line, and had began an attack which re-
suited in serious battle; so that Gen.
Mcpherson fell in battle, booted and
spurred, as the gallant knight and gen.
tleman should wish. Not his the loss,
but the country's, and this Army will
mourn his death and cherish his men,
ory as that OF one who, though compare
lively young, had risen by his merit and
ability to the command of one Of the
best armies which the Nation had called
fn win fa &c
integrity
History tells of but few who so blend
ed the grace and gentleness of the friend
with the dignity, courage, faith and
manliness of the soldier. His public
enemies, even the men who directed the
fatal shot, neer spoke or wrote of him
without expressions of marked respect:
those whom he commanded loved him
even to idolatry, and I, his associate and
commander, fail in words adequate to
express my opinion of his great worth.
II feel assured that every patriot in
America, on hearing this sad news, will
feel sense of personal loss, and the
country generally will realize that we
have lost not only an able military
leader, but man who, had he survived,
was qualified to heal the national strife
which had been raised by designing and
ambitious men. His body has been sent
North in charge of Maj. Willard, Capts.
Steel and Giles, his personal staff"
And when the news of this officers
death reached Gen. U. S. Grant, he is
reported as saying: THE country has
lost one of its best soldiers and I have
lost my best friend"
Made of Captured Cannon
The Mcpherson statue which stands
in the square bounded by I and K
streets, and East Fifteenth street and
West Fifteenth street, was erected by
act OF Congress of March 3, 1875. For
the pedestal, Congress appropriated $25,-
600. The statue is made of captured
cannon and cost s23,500, and it was de-
signed by Louis T. Rebisso, the sculptor.
During the War Between the States.
this square was camp, mostly for cav
airy, which was used by President Lin
coin as a bodyguard during the drives
he took, especially those to and from
oAAe NoANASAo AAoAaC, WiiCIe he T6SlQeQ
during the summer months. And in
the square during the war, dress parades
were also held each evening, which were
frequently attended by the public.
Looking at this neighborhood today
with its many substantial Office build
ings, banks and other business houses,
one can hardly realize that less than a
hundred years ago COWS were grazing
hereabout and were even pastured in the
vicinity of the Liberty National Bank
at the southeast corner of Fifteenth and
streets, or at least it was here that
people kept their cows during the night
time, permitting them to Craze on Days
Hill, then bounded by K and l., Four
teenth street and Vermont avenue, and
indeed, all over the Slashes, a name CIV
en- to nearly all the area north of M
street from about Fourteenth street west
to Rock Greek.
Immediately east of the site of the
bank referred to lived Hugh Brown, a
very popular colored man. This is said
to have been, at this time, the only
house on street in this neighborhood
until the corner of Fourteenth street
was reached, where Capt. George Walker
eept meat and general grocery store.