Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson U.S. - Atlanta, GA - Specific Veteran Memorials on Waymarking.com

James Birdseye McPherson (November 14, 1828 – July 22, 1864) was a career U.S. Army officer who served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was killed at the Battle of Atlanta and was the highest ranking Union officer killed during the conflict.

The text reads:
The monument in the enclosure was erected by U.S. Army Engineers to mark the site where Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson was killed during the Battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864. McPherson road S. from the Ga. R.R. when he heard firing in Sugar Cr. valley, where the rear attack by Walker's & Bate's divs. [CSA] feel upon Dodge's 16th A.C. After pausing to observe this part of the battle, he galloped toward the left of the 17th A.C. (Flat Shoals & Glenwood), on a road through the pines. At this point he was assailed by skirmishers of Cleburne's div.; [CSA] refusing to surrender he was shot while attempting to escape. GHM 044-45 - Georgia Historical Commission - 1956

On July 17, Confederate President Jefferson Davis became frustrated with Johnston's strategy of maneuver and retreat, and replaced him with Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood. Hood was eventually defeated, and retreated into Atlanta. Meanwhile, McPherson had advanced his troops into Decatur, Georgia, and from there, they moved onto the high ground on Bald Hill overlooking Atlanta. On July 22, they noticed that the Confederate troops had left Atlanta. Sherman believed that the Confederates had been defeated and were evacuating; however, McPherson rightly believed that they were moving to attack the Union right and rear. While they were discussing this new development, however, four divisions under Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee flanked Maj. Gen. Grenville Dodge's XVI Corps. While McPherson was riding his horse toward his old XVII Corps, a line of Confederate skirmishers appeared, yelling "Halt!". McPherson raised his hand to his head as if to remove his hat, but suddenly wheeled his horse, attempting to escape. The Confederates opened fire and mortally wounded McPherson.

Website pertaining to the memorial: [Web Link] List if there are any visiting hours: 24/7 but it is in a residential area so it may not be good to visit at night. Entrance fees (if it applies): 0.00 Type of memorial: Garden

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Date Logged Log User Rating   10/16/2007 GA Cacher visited it 10/15/2007 Lat34North visited it

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