JAMES BIRDSEYE McPHERSON - (1828-1864) - Army Engineer, born
Sandusky, Ohio. Graduated at West Point (1853), was engaged
upon fortification and construction duty until outbreak of
Civil War. Aide-de-camp to Halleck in Department of
Missouri; became (1862) Grant's chief engineer; fought at
Shiloh and Corinth, and had charge of railroads in western
Tennessee. Promoted major-general of volunteers (1863), was
given command of 17th Army Corps; took leading part in
campaign against Vicksburg. Succeeded Sherman in command of
Army of Tennessee (1854); fought at Kenesaw Mountain and
around Atlanta, and was killed while reconnoitering.