Points of Interest
Listed below are some of the historical markers, monuments and sites inspired by General McPherson...
Statues & Markers
Clyde, Ohio
Civil War veterans and Clyde citizens had struggled unsuccessfully for more than a decade to raise funds for a memorial worthy of General McPherson, the highest-ranking Union officer killed in the Civil War. The catalyst for reaching their goal finally came in the spring of 1876.
McPherson is dressed in Civil War era military attire. His proper right arm is extended and pointing to the Southwest; his proper left arm is bent at the elbow and holds field glasses. His proper right leg is forward and rests on a broken cannon, while a sword hangs at his hip.
Location: McPherson Cemetery, Clyde, Ohio
McPherson, Kansas
The equestrian statue that overlooks Memorial Park was dedicated in 1917 in a ceremony that attracted 40,000 persons. The statue was cast in standard government monumental bronze and the base is formed of granite. A similar statue is located in McPherson Square in Washington, D.C. The city and county of McPherson bear the name of the highest ranking Union Officer to die on the battlefield during the Civil War, General James Birdseye McPherson.
Location: Memorial Park, McPherson, Kansas
Washington, D.C.
Erected in 1876, this equestrian statue of Major General James B. McPherson serves as the centerpiece of McPherson Square along Vermont Avenue between K and I Streets N.W. General McPherson commanded the Army of the Tennessee and distinguished himself at the Battle of Atlanta where he was tragically killed on July 22, 1864, making him the second-highest-ranking Union officer to be killed during the Civil War.
This statue of General McPherson was sculpted by the Italian-born artist, Louis Rebisso and paid for by the Society of the Army of the Tennessee at a cost of $32,000. It is also notable for the fact that it was cast from bronze Confederate cannons captured during the Battle of Atlanta: the same conflict at which McPherson was killed. The General is depicted atop his horse, surveying a battlefield with field glasses in hand. His uniform is wrinkled, with his coat and trousers blown back by the wind.
Congress contributed $25,000 for the granite base and pedestal. The statue was dedicated on October 18, 1876, in a ceremony attended by President Rutherford B. Hayes and presided over by General William Tecumseh Sherman and General John A. Logan – both of whom are also commemorated with statues in Washington, D.C.
Source: D.C. Preservation League
Historical Marker in Clyde, Ohio
McPherson Cemetery in Clyde, Ohio
McPherson Cemetery in Clyde, Ohio
McPherson Statue Plaque at McPherson Cemetery in Clyde, Ohio
Atlanta
McPherson Monument
The marble block under the big gun, so McWilliams states – is hollow and contains a metal box filled with papers, like a corner stone. The original railing around the monument was composed of gun barrels set vertically in two iron rails, the gun barrels being tipped by metal spearheads. All these gun barrels were wrenched loose and purloined by visitors, and when they were gone, pine cones from the big tree were at a premium. Monument avenue was cut through the woods in recent years and today the monument site sits midway the width of Monument avenue, and at the south border of McPherson avenue.
Historic Ground
In an area bound by Memorial Dr., Clifton, Glenwood & Moreland, was where the major part of the Battle of Atlanta was fought, July 22d.
In terms of present landmarks, the battle began at Memorial Dr. & Clifton where Hardee's right wing (CS) was repulsed in an unexpected clash with Sweeny's 16th A.C. div. (US) This was followed by an assault of Hardee's left wing which crushed the left of the 17th A.C. at Flat Shoals Road & Glenwood & dislodged the right of the 16th A.C., forcing them north to a second line at & east of Leggett's Hill - eight hours of battle in which two major generals, Walker and McPherson, were killed.
Erected 1956 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 044-68.)
Location: 33° 44.644′ N, 84° 20.481′ W.
Shortly after the war, an army engineer located the tall pine tree under which McPherson was killed. He established the location through personal knowledge of events, and the testimony of others, equally conversant with the facts. A photograph was made of the site. The engineer scored the tree-trunk with distinguishing marks and ran lines up to the Georgia railroad, establishing certain station points there. His survey was used when the monument was placed where we now behold it, and its proper location has never been questioned. Mr. J. W. McWilliams, still residing in East Atlanta, states that the monument was erected about 1870.
Death of McPherson
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 rode S. from the Ga. R.R. when he heard firing in Sugar Cr. valley, where the rear attack by Walker's & Bate's divs. (CS) fell upon Dodge's 16th A.C. After pausing to observe this part of the battle, he galloped towards 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.; (CS) refusing to surrender he was shot while attempting to escape.
Erected 1956 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 044-45.)
Location: 33° 44.648′ N, 84° 20.478′ W.
McPherson's Last Ride
July 22, 1864. When Gen. McPherson heard the firing to the S.E. while at lunchen (Whiteford Ave. at R.R.), he mounted his horse & sending away most of his staff on various missions, galloped south to this hill.
Here he observed Dodge's 16th A.C. troops in desperate combat with Bates's & Walker's divs. (CS) in Sugar Cr. valley. Anxious about the left of the 17th A.C. (at Glenwood & Flat Shoals), he proceeded on a road through the pines in that direction, accompanied by an orderly, & Signal Officer, Wm. Sherfy, who reluctantly followed after vainly warning the general that Confederate troops had seized the road.
Erected 1956 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 044-44.)
Location: 33° 44.853′ N, 84° 20.411′ W.