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Mo. State Guard KIA Wilson's Creek Battle Field, Spfld, MO. (bro of Barton McPherson)
Hardin wed Elizabeth J. Roberts (1837 – 1870) February 1, 1860 in Cedar County, Missouri. They had a daughter Martha Alice "Mattie" McPherson (1861 – 1950), also in Cedar County.
When the American Civil War came, he enlisted in the Confederate Army with his father and his brother; assigned as a Private in Company C, 4th Cavalry Regiment, Eighth Division, Missouri State Guard. He was killed in action assigned to the 2nd Brigade, Second Division, Missouri State Guard at the battle of Wilson's Creek/Oak Hills, Missouri, also known as the "Bull Run of the West." Also fighting in the battle were his father Hezekiah, brother James Madison "Nat", and his brother-in-law Finis E. Horne. Following the battle, nearly all the soldiers killed in the fighting were buried on the battlefield. In 1863, Hardin's father visited "Oak Hills" for an unstated reason. In 1867, the Springfield National Cemetery was created and the Union dead were removed there. A short time later, the Southern dead were taken there as well and placed in an adjacent plot (now part of the National Cemetery). Unfortunately, only a handful of the Wilson's Creek dead at the Springfield National Cemetery are identified.
Hardin Deatheridge McPherson was killed at The Battle of Wilson's Creek on August 10, 1861 as a Private, 2nd Brigade, in the 2nd Division of the Missouri State Guard. Also fighting in the battle were Hezekiah McPherson and Finis E. Horne.
The following is an excerpt of a biography written by H.D.'s younger sister Parthena about him leaving for the war:
H. D. Mcpherson, my oldest brother, obtained permission of his captian to go home and spend the night with his wife and babe, whom he left at our father's home. Well do I remember his conversation as we rode home together. We were talking of the War, and the many sad things pertaining to it. He said, "Sister, I am not going into this War like may of the boys who seem to think it is only a little holday sport and will soon be over and we will all be at home again. It is a very serious matter with me. Many of our boys blood will run cold on the battle field. I feel that I will be numbered with the slain." I said, "Brother, if I felt that way, I would not go." He replied, "Yes, I will go. My country calls me and duty demands it, but when I part with all of you tomorrow morning, I shall part as if in death, never expecting to meet with any of you again in this life." Oh, that sad and lonely night, Father and brother Nat were in campt. We sat up and talked until late bedtime, rising early the next morning, prepared breakfast so that brother could have something to eat before taking his leave. It was ten miles to campt, and the army had orders to move early. He bade his brothers and sisters goodbye. Next, he came to our dear mother, putting his arms around her neck he kissed her goodbye, saying "Mother, take good care of Lizzie and the baby." He next took his babe in his arms and pressed her to his bosom while he covered her little face with kisses. Laying her down he said, "God bless my baby." He now came to his loving wife, who was broken-hearted. He took her in his arms, hugged and kissed her repeatedly; then turned to go, and took several steps toward the gate, turning around he came back and embraced his wife again, then walked briskly to the gate, mounted his horse and rode away, never to return.
In a few short weeks, he met the enemy in battle on the 10th day of August, 1861 at Wilson's Creek, near Springfield, Missouri and was killed. My father and brother Nat and my sweetheart all participated in the same battle, but were unhurt.
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USA