Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 March 1895 — WHO SHOT M’PHERSON. [ARTICLE]

WHO SHOT M’PHERSON.

The Story of nn Eye-Witness to the KU* lug of the Brave Union General. The following communication appears in a recent edition of the Atlanta Constitution-. Much lias been said latelyih your paper and others concent ing the killing of General McPherson, and these various accounts differ as to many points connected with that event. General McPherson was highly esteemed by the Southern army, and it can be well said of him that wherever he went his gentlemanly deportment and kindly treatment of the Southerner* was almost demoralizing. It was in marked contrast with much that his fellow officers did. Hence our people even at the time regretted his death, and now honor his memory’. The writer is well acquainted with Captain Richard Beard, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., who claims, and no doubt justly, to have been eye-witness to the killing of General McPherson. I may not give his account with perfect accuracy, for it was told me years ago, but my recollection is that the circumstances attending that event were sub stantially as follows: Captain Beard was ordered, with his company, then a mere handful, to make an attack upon a fortification which it was supposed was held by few men. While execriting this order quite a number of Federal officers came riding towards him. 'Halting his men he waited Until they got near by and then commanded them to surrender. All did except one, who, wheeling his horse and putting spurs to Ijiim, while drawing his sword and waiving it over his head, dashed off at full speed towards the Federal lines. Captain Beard ordered his men to fire, for, as he states, he felt satisfied that the officer, on account of the retinue accompanying him, must be high in command, and he could not help admiring his brave dash for freedom. However, an Arkansas Sergeant, who had become detached from his own command, and was accompanying Captain Beard’s company, drew down his gun, and in spite .Of the order given, fired, and the reflating officer fell to the ground. After disarming those who had surrendered, and putting them in charge of one or two men. Captain Beard resumed his advance, and passed the prostrate form of the officer just killed. Da-ding with his brave Tennesseean* up tile fortification, he was astonished to see a Federal colonel jump upon the embankment, within speaking distance, shouted in almost appealing tone* to Capt an. Beard: ‘ For God’s sake surrender, brave man, for we have lea to your one!” The Tennesseeans were soon surrounded and taken prisoners, finding the statement of the Colonel true. The charge from the reinforced Federals swept everything back until they passed and retook the prisoners, and then Captain Beard learned that the officer killed was General McPherson. This information was confirmed when he was carried before General Sherman, the Colonel taking him prisoner accompany him, and asking for kirldly treatment in behalf of the brave Tennesseeans. Capta n Richard Beard, Murfreesboro. Tenn., can give a full and interesting account of this event, authentic and vouched for by a number of living w itnesses. He is an exceedingly modest man, and hence I have taken the liberty of speaking thus fully about him. Probably there may be some inaccuracy about some of the details here given, but not as to the main fact, that lie was an eye witness to the killing of General McPherson by an Ankansa* Sergeant and. und ir the circumstance* slated.—Jeao Gee.