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nusually cautious and prepared at all times for sallies and for hard fighting； because Hood； though not deemed much of a scholar； or of great mental capacity； was undoubtedly a brave； determined； and rash man； and the change of commanders at that particular crisis argued the displeasure of the Confederate Government with the cautious but prudent conduct of General Jos。 Johnston。
McPherson was in excellent spirits； well pleased at the progress of events so far； and had come over purposely to see me about the order I had given him to use Dodge's corps to break up the railroad； saying that the night before he had gained a position on Leggett's Hill from which he could look over the rebel parapet； and see the high smoke…stack of a large foundery in Atlanta； that before receiving my order he had diverted Dodge's two divisions （then in motion） from the main road； along a diagonal one that led to his extreme left flank； then held by Giles A。 Smith's division （Seventeenth Corps）； for the purpose of strengthening that flank； and that he had sent some intrenching…tools there； to erect some batteries from which he intended to knock down that foundery； and otherwise to damage the buildings inside of Atlanta。 He said he could put all his pioneers to work； and do with them in the time indicated all I had proposed to do with General Dodge's two divisions。 Of course I assented at once； and we walked down the road a short distance； sat down by the foot of a tree where I had my map； and on it pointed out to him Thomas's position and his own。 I then explained minutely that； after we had sufficiently broken up the Augusta road； I wanted to shift his whole army around by the rear to Thomas's extreme right； and hoped thus to reach the other railroad at East Point。 While we sat there we could hear lively skirmishing going on near us （down about the distillery）； and occasionally round…shot from twelve or twenty…four pound guns came through the trees in reply to those of Schofield； and we could hear similar sounds all along down the lines of Thomas to our right； and his own to the left； but presently the firing appeared a little more brisk （especially over about Giles G。 Smith's division）； and then we heard an occasional gun back toward Decatur。 I asked him what it meant。 We took my pocket…compass （which I always carried）； and by noting the direction of the sound； we became satisfied that the firing was too far to our left rear to be explained by known facts； and he hastily called for his horse； his staff； and his orderlies。
McPherson was then in his prime （about thirty…four years old）； over six feet high； and a very handsome man in every way； was universally liked； and had many noble qualities。 He had on his boots outside his pantaloons； gauntlets on his hands； had on his major…general's uniform； and wore a sword…belt； but no sword。 He hastily gathered his papers （save one； which I now possess） into a pocket…book； put it in his breast…pocket； and jumped on his horse； saying he would hurry down his line and send me back word what these sounds meant。 His adjutant…general； Clark； Inspector…General Strong； and his aides； Captains Steele and Gile； were with him。 Although the sound of musketry on our left grew in volume； I was not so much disturbed by it as by the sound of artillery back toward Decatur。 I ordered Schofield at once to send a brigade back to Decatur （some five miles） and was walking up and down the porch of the Howard House； listening； when one of McPherson's staff； with his horse covered with sweat； dashed up to the porch； and reported that General McPherson was either 〃killed or a prisoner。〃 He explained that when they had left me a few minutes before； they had ridden rapidly across to the railroad； the sounds of battle increasing as they neared the position occupied by General Giles A。 Smith's division； and that McPherson had sent first one； then another of his staff to bring some of the reserve brigades of the Fifteenth Corps over to the exposed left flank； that he had reached the head of Dodge's corps （marching by the flank on the diagonal road as described）； and had ordered it to hurry forward to the same point； that then； almost if not entirely alone； he had followed this road leading across the wooded valley behind the Seventeenth Corps； and had disappeared in these woods； doubtless with a sense of absolute security。 The sound of musketry was there heard； and McPherson's horse came back； bleeding； wounded； and riderless。 I ordered the staff…officer who brought this message to return at once； to find General Logan （the senior officer present with the Army of the Tennessee）； to report the same facts to him； and to instruct him to drive back this supposed small force； which had evidently got around the Seventeenth Corps through the blind woods in rear of our left flank。 I soon dispatched one of my own staff （McCoy； I think） to General Logan with similar orders； telling him to refuse his left flank； and to fight the battle （holding fast to Leggett's Hill） with the Army of the Tennessee； that I would personally look to Decatur and to the safety of his rear； and would reenforce him if he needed it。 I dispatched orders to General Thomas on our right； telling him of this strong sally； and my inference that the lines in his front had evidently been weakened by reason thereof； and that he ought to take advantage of the opportunity to make a lodgment in Atlanta； if possible。
Meantime the sounds of the battle rose on our extreme left more and more furious； extending to the place where I stood； at the Howard House。 Within an hour an ambulance came in （attended by Colonels Clark and Strong； and Captains Steele and Gile）； bearing McPherson's body。 I had it carried inside of the Howard House； and laid on a door wrenched from its hinges。 Dr。 Hewitt； of the army； was there； and I asked him to examine the wound。 He opened the coat and shirt； saw where the ball had entered and where it came out； or rather lodged under the skin； and he reported that McPherson must have died in a few seconds after being hit； that the ball had ranged upward across his body； and passed near the heart。 He was dressed just as he left me； with gauntlets and boots on； but his pocket…book was gone。 On further inquiry I learned that his body must have been in possession of the enemy some minutes； during which time it was rifled of the pocket…book； and I was much concerned lest the letter I had written him that morning should have fallen into the hands of some one who could read and understand its meaning。 Fortunately the spot in the woods where McPherson was shot was regained by our troops in a few minutes； and the pocket…book found in the haversack of a prisoner of war captured at the time； and it and its contents were secured by one of McPherson's staff。
While we were examining the body inside the house； the battle was progressing outside； and many shots struck the building； which I feared would take fire； so I ordered Captains Steele and Gile to carry the body to Marietta。 They reached that place the same night； and； on application； I ordered his personal staff to go on and escort the body to his home； in Clyde； Ohio； where it was received with gre