James Birdseye McPherson was born at Clyde, Ohio, on Nov. 14, 1828, graduated from West Point in 1853, and was appointed brevet second lieutenant of engineers that year. He served in the field at the opening of the Civil War, was appointed captain on Aug. 6, 1861, promoted to brigadier general on May 15, 1862, and promoted to major general on Oct. 8, 1862. He took an important part in the siege and capture of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, was appointed brigadier general of the U.S. Army on Aug. 1, 1863, became commander of the Army of Tennessee on March 12, 1864, was active in the Georgia Campaign, commanded in the engagement around Atlanta, and was killed while making a reconnoissance on July 22, 1864. McPherson was the highest ranking officer killed in action during the Civil War.