Ohio History Today

What happened on this day in Ohio's history

  • Home
    • Northwest Ohio
    • Northeast
    • Central
    • Southwest Ohio
    • Southeast
  • Ohio History
    • Mound Builders
    • Native Americans in Ohio
    • Native American Wars
    • Underground RR in Ohio
  • Lake Region
  • Hill Country
  • Around Ohio
  • On This Day
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • October
    • September
    • November
    • December

On This Day

July 22: James Birdseye McPherson Killed

By admin

General James B. McPherson

He was born in Ohio in a small town in Sandusky County before it was a town. Today, the citizens of Clyde proudly honor his contribution to the Nation by giving him his rightful place in their community. He would grow up to play a pivotal role as a U.S. General commanding the right wing of General Sherman during his campaign to take Atlanta during the Civil War.

McPherson had been with Sherman for a long time including the siege of Vicksburg the following year. As Sherman would later say, his good friend and right hand, was James McPherson. When James asked Sherman for a short leave so he could marry his fiance in Baltimore, Sherman denied that request. A decision he would openly regret a few months later.

James McPherson’s home in Clyde, Ohio.

After his death, his body was returned to Clyde and buried in the family cemetery not far from the home where he was born on November 14, 1828.

James Birdseye McPherson was the first born son of William and Cynthia. William had come to this area from New York state 5 years before to purchase some land, build a house for his bride-to-be. He came with several of his friends, one of them was James Birdseye for whom William would name his son.

William was a blacksmith and a farmer. From some records it indicates that he may have had a quick to rise temper. Like many of his friends that would later join him in Sandusky County, his family were Scottish. He purchased a rather substantial piece of land that was at the time known as Hamer’s Corners (this name would later be changed to Clyde in honor of Clyde New York which was named for the Clyde River in Scotland).

Four years after the McPherson’s set up household in Hamer’s Corner, Cynthia gave birth to James B. McPherson. No description of this birth or of the baby was recorded, but many years later after James’ death, his mother Cynthia related a story that when he was 3 weeks old a group of Seneca Indians stopped in at their house to see the new baby. One of them declared: “He will be a great man.”

When James was 11, the country experienced a major financial crisis that became known as the Panic of 1837 which was similar in scope to the 2008 financial crisis experience that lasted seven years. Banks failed, businesses failed, prices declined and thousands of workers lost their jobs. Unemployment rose as high as 25% in some areas.

Like most businessmen of the day, the Panic of 1837 caused dramatic changes in William first in his financial health and then later his physical health. The stress of his losses and his efforts to try and protect his family ultimately caused him to become bedridden. Since the family business had collapsed, young James found it necessary to work for others in order to help provide for the family. At the age of 12 he had become the man of the family which would prove to have a long lasting effect on him and his career.

Fortunately, James was able to find work as a clerk in Sterntown (known today as Green Springs located about 6 miles southwest of Hamer’s Corner). Robert Smith the owner of a general store and the local mill adopted James (not legally). They exposed him to a rich education where he learned to read, appreciate music and was exposed to a variety of people one of those being Rutherford B. Hayes who was six years older than James and the two became good friends. It was through the Smith family and Rutherford that several years later afforded him the opportunity to move up in the world when he became a West Point cadet.

In 1847 James’ father died. The following year 19 year old James left home for West Point. He would never return to Hamer’s Corner other than for short stays.

During the battle for Atlanta, General McPherson was at General Sherman’s tent discussing what McPherson thought about how the Confederate would attack. It was in Sherman’s mind that the Confederates were retreating from Atlanta, but McPherson was certain they were setting up an attack of the Union’s flank and rear. It was a heated discussion and ongoing when a large volume of gunfire erupted in the direction of where McPherson’s troops were located and confirming his belief that Confederate forces were mounting an attack and that attack had begun.

McPherson quickly returned to his men until he reached his XVI Corps. Here he found his men struggling against an overwhelming advance of Confederate forces. Realizing the importance of this contact, McPherson decided to personally go on to his XVII Corps so they could be brought to bear upon the advancing Confederates.

Photograph taken a few days after McPherson was killed of the spot where the event happened just outside of Atlanta in 1864. In the center of the image in the distance is a tree with a sign tacked to it stating this was the spot where McPherson was shot.

McPherson’s two corps were separated by a thick woods which he had to navigate to reach his XVII Corps. McPherson, his aide and Colonel R.K. Scott were alone when they came upon a Confederate skirmish line. Both sides were suddenly taken back, and the Confederate skirmish line of 3 or 4 men simultaneously yelled for the two Union men to halt. Realizing what was about to happen if he were to be captured, McPherson and his aide wheeled their horse and bolted. The skirmish line reacted with volley of fire. McPherson’s aide turned in his saddle and saw the line taking aim and he later reported sliding around in his saddle so his horse was between him and the enemy. Unfortunately, James Birdseye McPherson was hit and killed, becoming the highest ranking Union officer to die in battle.

Save

Save

Share This:

Previous days…

May 13: John Clem Dies

On this day in 1937, Brigadier General John Clem died and was later buried in Arlington National Cemetery. John Clem was born in Heath, Ohio and would become the last Civil War Veteran on active duty when he retired from service in 1915. A year after John Clem retired, Congress passed an act promoting him […]

May 10: President Hayes has First Telephone Installed in the White House

In 1876 Alexander Graham Bell was awarded the first U.S. Patent for the telephone. A year later the sitting President of the United States, Rutherford B. Hayes, who was born in Delaware, Ohio, installed this new technology in the White House’s telegraph room. Several years earlier, Hayes first used a telephone in a call to […]

May 9: Ohio’s Iconic Symbol

What’s red white and blue, sometimes it is hoisted up one or two of the flag poles on the roof of Ohio’s statehouse, and oh yes, it’s not a flag? On this day in 1902 the Ohio General Assembly enacted a bill authorizing the adoption of a new state flag. Till this day in Ohio […]

Nov. 11: The Great Lakes Huricane

The year 1913 was a really bad year weather-wise. Earlier in March Ohioans experienced the worst flood in Ohio’s recorded history. That event cost the lives of over 400 people and cost more than $1,000,000, 000 in 1913 dollars. On this day in November, an immense storm struck the Great Lakes and became known as […]

Sept. 26: The “original” Johnny Appleseed is born

Jonathan Chapman was an eccentric American pioneer nurseryman who introduced apples to large parts of Ohio. During his lifetime (1774 – 1845) he became an American legend because of his journeys across Ohio and other areas as a missionary for the Swedenborgian Church. Sometimes on his journeys he distributed pamphlets about the church and used […]

September 26: Old Man Eddie Becomes an Ace

Sept 24: Blue Star Service Flag Officially Recognized by Congress

Sept 19: President Garfield Dies from Gunshot Wounds

September 15: Happy Birthday Will!

Sept. 14, McKinley: The President is No More!

Sherman Takes Atlanta

August 28: Lucy Webb is Born

August 13: Today is Phoebe Ann Moses’ Birthday

August 5: The first electric traffic control lights installed in Cleveland

Aug. 4: George Armstrong Custer and 7th Cavalry Attacked by Sioux

July 29: First School House in the Ohio Country

July 20: Last Moments of Eagle

June 3: The Birth of REO

May 26: Colonel Crawford Moves Toward Ohio Country

May 25: Space, the Final Frontier

May 19, 1749: Ohio Company Chartered

May 16: Marie Marries Louis

Dr. Benjamin’s Company Makes for a Smoother Ride

May 9: Recognizing Ohio’s Iconic Symbol

May 5: Denton Young Pitches His First Perfect Game

May 4, 1970: Kent State Erupts in Violence

April 29: Lincoln Funeral Procession Arrives at the Statehouse

April 14: A Nation Begins to Mourn

April 12, 1861: Civil War Begins

March 1: Is Ohio legally a state?

December 17: First Powered Flight

November 25: Ohio Inventor Charles Kettering is DEAD!

Sept. 26: The “original” Johnny Appleseed is born

Sept 24: Blue Star Service Flag Officially Recognized by Congress

Sept. 23: Corps of Discovery Returns

Sept 19: President Garfield Dies from Gunshot Wounds

Sept. 18: The Wright Brothers Begin Their Journey Into History

September 17: The Crash

September 15: Happy Birthday Will!

Sept. 14, McKinley: The President is No More!

SEPTEMBER 6, McKinley: The President is Shot

SEPTEMBER 6: John C. Fremont Arrives at the Great Salt Lake

RSS The lighter side across Ohio

  • “Cat Bay Tunnel” Set to Open
  • Birds of a Feather
  • The First President
  • John’s Scythe
  • It helps
  • We’re going to pay for this
  • Thanksgiving Meal to Remember
  • Circleville’s Pumpkin Show Again
  • Marblehead Lighthouse Festival

Copyright © 2018 · TouringOhio.com · Produced by OHCPi· Log in