McPherson, James Birdseye (1828-1864) to Leonard Ross
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02063.01 Author/Creator: McPherson, James Birdseye (1828-1864) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 September 1862 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses an exaggerated news report regarding the battle of Antietam. Writes "The substance of the news is that 'Genl McClellan has driven the Rebels out of Maryland with great slaughter and has bagged Genl Lee.' The bagging part I think is prospective and the other like all telegraphic news from the Associated Press must be taken with some grains of allowance. The dispatch says 'Bully for Mc'...I think on the whole it is good." Seems skeptical of the good news, and rightly so. Lee was not captured, and though he was driven from Maryland, both sides suffered heavy losses. Written on printed stationery of the "United States Military Railroad, Superintendent's Office." Penciled docket on verso.
James McPherson was a Brigadier General in the West under Ulysses S. Grant. Later rose to Major General, commander of the Army of the Tennessee, and played an important role in Sherman's Georgia campaign.
Leonard Ross was a Brigadier General. At the time of this letter he was stationed at Bolivar Tennessee guarding the Mississippi Central Railroad. Resigned his commission three weeks after Gettysburg.
United States Military Railroad. SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE,
Sept. 16h 18 1862
General
The substance of the news is that "Genl McClellan has driven the Rebels out of Maryland with great slaughter - and has bagged Genl Lee." The bagging part I think is prospective and the other like all telegraphic news from the Associated press must be taken with some grains of allowance -
The dispatch says "Bully for Mc", & I think on the whole it is good
Yours Truly,
Jas B. McPherson
Brig Genl Ross
Cmndg Dir -
[docket]
Letter from Gen McPherson
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.