James Birdseye McPherson
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1828-1864
James Birdseye McPherson in Clyde, Ohio, on November 14, 1828. He
grew up in poverty but, through the help of a merchant with whom he
was friendly, he obtained an appointment to the US Military Academy
at West Point. Graduating first in his class in 1853, he was placed
in the Corps of Engineers, and was reputed to be a highly promising
young officer. When the Civil War began, he became an aide to Maj.
Gen. Henry Halleck, who was chief engineer to Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant.
McPherson took part in the Campaigns of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson,
the Battle of Shiloh and the Union occupation of West Tennessee. He
was promoted to brigadier general on August 19, 1862, then to major
general after two months. Performing well in the Vicksburg Campaign,
and his corps played an important role in the Union victory at the
Battle of Champion's Hill in May of 1863. After participating in Maj.
Gen. William T. Sherman's Meridian Campaign in Mississippi, McPherson
took command of the Army of the Tennessee. In early May, he was
unable to maneuver through the Snake Creek Gap to hit the rear of the
Confederate retreat at the beginning of the Atlanta Campaign. Later,
Sherman sent McPherson and his army to outflank the Confederate
defense lines southeast of Atlanta, Georgia, on July 22, 1864. The
Confederates, however, had a surprise counterattack prepared.
McPherson rode up to investigate, ran into a group of Confederate
troops, then was shot and killed as he tried to escape.
