Inscribed
Maj. Gen J. B. McPherson, From A Friend, this heavily-engraved
gilt and silver dress sword was presented to General McPherson
by his friend, Chief Artillerist and Chief Engineer General
Andrew Morgan Hickenlooper. The sword was returned to Hickenlooper
following McPherson's death. Hickenlooper distinguished
himself during the Siege of Vicksburg when as chief engineer
he orchestrated artillery operations and the Vicksburg mine
explosion, the first ever used in warfare.
No
man was more devoted to McPherson in life or in death than
General Andrew Hickenlooper.
After McPherson's death, Hickenlooper served in the March
to the Sea under O. O. Howard, but he deeply mourned the
loss of his friend and commander. "Headquarters was
like a tomb and never again possessed the unbounding hospitality
of McPherson." As Corresponding Secretary of the Society
of the Army of the Tennessee, Hickenlooper worked tirelessly
for the creation of the McPherson monuments. For greater
authenticity, Hickenlooper gave this sword as well as McPherson's
binoculars and saddle to sculptor Louis Rebisso to use as
models.
