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Quiz about Major General James B McPherson

Major General James B. McPherson Quiz

McPherson commanded the Army of the Tennessee Prior to his death. He was a protege of both U. S. Grant and W. Sherman.

A multiple-choice quiz by OldBedfordNo1. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
OldBedfordNo1

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
314,677

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
223

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What year did James B. McPherson graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point? Hint

1861

1853

1840

1846

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Question 2 of 10

2. Where did McPherson rank in his class at West Point? Hint

1st

last

6th

2nd

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Question 3 of 10

3. What did Lieutenant McPherson do immediately after graduation from West Point? Hint

He joined the Corps of Engineers building coastal fortifications.

He was sent to Fort Vancouver as part of a surveying party.

He was assigned to Jefferson Barracks as a cavalry instructor.

He was an assistant instructor in practical engineering.

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Question 4 of 10

4. Where was McPherson stationed when the civil war broke out? Hint

Florida

California

Texas

Utah

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Question 5 of 10

5. Who was the highest ranking Union general killed during the American Civil War?
Hint

Major General James B. McPherson

Major General Israel B. Richardson

Major General John F. Reynolds

Major General John Sedgwick

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Question 6 of 10

6. What position did McPherson receive when he reported for duty to Major General Henry W. Halleck in December 1861? Hint

Quartermaster

Chief of Staff

Aide de camp and assistant chief engineer

Assistant Adjutant General

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who was Major General McPherson's fiancee? Hint

Emily Hoffman

Ellen Boyle Ewing

Cornelia Birdseye

Lydia Slocum

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Question 8 of 10

8. What Union army did McPherson command during the Atlanta Campaign of May-Sept, 1864? Hint

Army of the Tennessee

Army of the Cumberland

Army of Tennessee

Army of the Ohio

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Question 9 of 10

9. Where was McPherson killed? Hint

Snake Creek Gap

Champion Hill

Vicksburg

Atlanta

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Question 10 of 10

10. Where is Major General James B. McPherson buried? Hint

West Point

McPherson Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery

Fort McPherson

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What year did James B. McPherson graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point?

Answer: 1853

McPherson was born in Hamer's Corners (later Clyde) Ohio November 14, 1828. He was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point and was in the graduating class with several other Civil War generals including John M. Schofield and John Philip H. Sheridan.

2. Where did McPherson rank in his class at West Point?

Answer: 1st

James B. McPherson ranked 1st in his graduating class at West Point. His roommate was John Bell Hood who later became a general in the Confederate Army. McPherson and Hood opposed each other at the Battle of Atlanta.

3. What did Lieutenant McPherson do immediately after graduation from West Point?

Answer: He was an assistant instructor in practical engineering.

Upon graduation McPherson stayed at West Point for a year teaching practical engineering. According to Elizabeth Whaley in "Forgotten Hero: General James B. McPherson" this was the first time a graduate was so honored with a teaching assignment immediately upon graduation.

4. Where was McPherson stationed when the civil war broke out?

Answer: California

McPherson had been ordered to California in December 1857. While there he was fortified Alcatraz Island.

5. Who was the highest ranking Union general killed during the American Civil War?

Answer: Major General John Sedgwick

McPherson was the *second* highest ranking Union general killed during the war. He was commander of an army in the Atlanta Campaign at the time of his death. Sedgwick's commission as Major General predated McPherson's commission however he was a Corps Commander in the Army of the Potomac. Albert Sidney Johnston who was killed at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862 was reportedly the highest ranking general killed on either side.

He commanded the Confederate Army of the Mississippi.

6. What position did McPherson receive when he reported for duty to Major General Henry W. Halleck in December 1861?

Answer: Aide de camp and assistant chief engineer

McPherson was commissioned a Lieutenant Colonel and appointed aide de camp and assistant chief engineer to Major General Henry W. Halleck. McPherson went on to act as chief engineer for Brigadier General U. S. Grant during the Fort Henry and Fort Donelson Campaign.

7. Who was Major General McPherson's fiancee?

Answer: Emily Hoffman

McPherson's fiancee was Emily Hoffman. He had met her while stationed in California. While traveling to his wedding in early 1864 McPherson received a telegram from Major General W. T. Sherman informing him of his elevation to army command and canceling his furlough. Emily Hoffman never married. After McPherson's death Sherman wrote an eloquent touching letter to Hoffman.

8. What Union army did McPherson command during the Atlanta Campaign of May-Sept, 1864?

Answer: Army of the Tennessee

McPherson was commander of the Union Army of the Tennessee. The Army of the Cumberland was commanded by Major General George H. Thomas, the Army of the Ohio was commanded by Major General John M Schofield and the Army of Tennessee was commanded by General Joseph E. Johnston.

9. Where was McPherson killed?

Answer: Atlanta

McPherson was killed at the Battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864 by Confederate forces in an ambush by a single bullet that reportedly penetrated his lung near the heart.

10. Where is Major General James B. McPherson buried?

Answer: McPherson Cemetery

McPherson is buried in McPherson Cemetery in Clyde, Ohio. McPherson Cemetery is named after the general. There is a large monument dedicated to the general in the cemetery. It was erected by the Society of the Army of the Tennessee and unveiled on July 22, 1881.

Source: Author OldBedfordNo1

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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