James McPherson Letter Signed "Jas. B. McPherson." One page with integral blank, 5.25" x 8", Boston, November 11, 1861. McPherson signs as a captain in the corps of engineers in this letter to Martha H. Bottomly to "certify that Jerome Bottomly enlisted on the 24th, 1861, in Company "C," Engineers USA, for the period of three years." Very light spots of foxing and folds. With the original transmittal envelope.

James McPherson (1828-1864) stood apart from his peers from his earliest days at West Point. He graduated first in the Class of 1853 and served admirably as a lieutenant until the Civil War made rapid promotions possible. In 1861 McPherson was promoted to captain, only to replace his twin shoulder bars with a lieutenant colonel's oak leaves before year's end. Being on U.S. Grant's staff in early 1862 afforded McPherson opportunities for further advancement. His participation in actions at Forts Henry and Donelson and again at Shiloh led to the promotion of colonel. McPherson's promotions continued on a meteoric trajectory for the rest of the year and he was a major general of volunteers by the fall. A stellar performance at Vicksburg won McPherson command of the Army of Tennessee under Sherman just in time for the Atlanta Campaign. On July 22, James McPherson's war ended when he was shot dead while trying to flee a Confederate ambush. In time he would earn the distinction of being the Union's highest ranking officer to be killed in action.