Major General James B. McPherson

CommanderXVII Corps

Vicksburg Campaign

BLUF

• General James B. McPherson(+) Intelligent(+) Compassionate(+) Calculating

(-) Over Cautious

Agenda

• Early Life• West Point• Pre-Civil War• Before Vicksburg• Conclusions• Questions

Early Life1828-1848

West Point1849-1853

Pre-Civil War1854-1860

Before Vicksburg1861-1862

Early Life

• Born November 14, 1828 in Clyde, OH• Works as a store clerk from age 13-19• Defers appointment to West Point• Attends Norwalk Academy 1847-48• Begins West Point in 1849 at age 20

Early Life1828-1848

West Point1849-1853

Pre-Civil War1854-1860

Before Vicksburg1861-1862

West PointClass of 1853

Union• McPherson (1)• Sill (3)• Smith (6)• Schofield (7)• Terrill (16)• Tyler (22)• Sheridan (34)• Chambers (43)

Confederate• Boggs (4)• Bowen (13)• Chambliss (31)• Davidson (33)• Walker (41)• Hood (44)• Smith (45)

Early Life1828-1848

West Point1849-1853

Pre-Civil War1854-1860

Before Vicksburg1861-1862

Pre-Civil War

Professor of Practical Engineering at West Point

1853-54

Corps of Engineers New York Harbor

1855-57

Corps of Engineers Fortification of Alcatraz Island

1858-61

Early Life1828-1848

West Point1849-1853

Pre-Civil War1854-1861

Before Vicksburg1861-1862

Before Vicksburg

Early Life1828-1848

West Point1849-1853

Pre-Civil War1854-1860

Before Vicksburg1861-1862

Dec. 1862

Oct. 1862

May 1862

Nov. 1861

Aug. 1861

Aug. 1, 1861

XVII CorpsCommand

Departs San Francisco

Arrives Boston

Arrives St. Louis: Aide-de-camp for Gen. Halleck

Feb. 1862

Gen. Grant’s Staff Engineer at Henry and Donelson

Apr. 1862Gen. Grant’s Staff Engineer at Shiloh

Division Command in XIII Corps

Battle

Command

Rank Attained

XVII Corps Task Organization

XVIIXXX

6thXX

7thXX

3rdXX

Gen. McPherson

Gen. McArthur (IL)Gen. Logan (IL)

Gen. Quinby (NY)

Gen. Crocker (IA)

Conclusions – Opposing Sides

“… indeed the attachment formed in early youth was strengthened by my admiration and gratitude for his conduct toward our people in the vicinity of Vicksburg. His considerate and kind treatment of them stood in bright contrast to the course pursued by many Federal officers.”

- General John Bell Hood

“The country generally will realize that we have lost not only an able military leader, but a man who had he survived, was qualified to heal the national strife which has been raised by designing and ambitious men.”

- General William Tecumseh Sherman

“Sir, it is General McPherson. You have killed the best man in our Army.”

A.J. Thompson, Gen. McPherson’s OrderlyReply to Captain Beard, 5th Confederate Regiment

July 22, 1864

Questions

General McPherson’s TombClyde, Ohio

McPherson SquareWashington, D.C.

McPherson StatueMcPherson, KS

McPherson County