# James B. McPherson — Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant character guide > James B. McPherson in Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Ulysses S. Grant. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** McPherson, General McPherson, Major-General James B. McPherson, General J. B. McPherson **First appearance:** 0003-i ## Snapshot One of Grant's most trusted lieutenants, he drove his corps through torrential rain toward Jackson, destroying railroads and closing on the enemy with quiet, dependable speed. ## Who they are McPherson commands one of the three corps maneuvering against Johnston's forces in Mississippi, his advance reaching Clinton on the 13th and immediately tearing up the railroad. Grant positions him so that a single division at Clinton can reinforce either wing, a mark of how much the commanding general relies on his steadiness. He matters because his disciplined marches make the coordinated thrust on Jackson possible, embodying the professional trust Grant placed in his closest subordinates. ## In the story ### [Resignation—Private Life—Life at Galena—The Coming Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xvi) Not mentioned in excerpts. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxiv) Mentioned as a colonel accompanying General W. H. L. Wallace on the night of April 4th. ### [Van Dorn's Movements — Battle of Corinth — Command of the Department of the Tennessee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxix) Ordered from Jackson to reinforce Rosecrans at Corinth with a brigade; arrives by train and supports Rosecrans after the repulse. ### [The Campaign Against Vicksburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxx) Commands the left wing of Grant's army during the advance. ### [Headquarters Moved to Holly Springs—General McClernand in Command—Assuming Command at Young’s Point—Operations Above Vicksburg—Fortifications About Vicksburg—The Canal—Lake Providence—Operations at Yazoo Pass](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxi) Commands the 17th Corps stationed at Lake Providence, seventy miles above Vicksburg. ### [The Vicksburg Campaign: Running the Batteries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxii) Major-General commanding the Seventeenth Army Corps (center) in the campaign. ### [Attack on Grand Gulf — Operations Below Vicksburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxiii) Commands the 17th Corps; his divisions reinforce McClernand and support the left flank. ### [Capture of Port Gibson — Grierson's Raid — Occupation of Grand Gulf — Movement Up the Big Black — Battle of Raymond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxiv) Commands a corps; orders the road cleared and Logan's and Crocker's divisions forward at Port Gibson. ### [Movement Against Jackson—Fall of Jackson—Intercepting the Enemy—Battle of Champion's Hill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxv) Commands a corps; advances on Clinton and Jackson; his victory at Raymond prompts Grant's decision to move on Jackson. ### [Battle of Black River Bridge—Crossing the Big Black—Investment of Vicksburg—Assaulting the Works](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxvi) Commands the 17th Corps, builds a pontoon bridge at the Big Black, and positions his corps on the Jackson road. ### [Siege of Vicksburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxvii) Commands the center of the siege line, with McArthur's division under him. ### [The Surrender of Vicksburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxviii) Accompanies Grant to the meeting with Pemberton. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xlii) Not directly mentioned in the excerpts; excluded from active check-in. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xlvi) Promoted to command Sherman's department after Sherman's advancement. ### [Sherman's Campaign in Georgia—Siege of Atlanta—Death of General McPherson—Attempt to Capture Andersonville—Capture of Atlanta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xlix) Commanded the Department of the Tennessee; killed during the campaign. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters/james_b_mcpherson - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters