This is a tricky and confusing question. However, let me respond in this manner: The highest ranking general killed in the war was Major General John Sedgwick on May 9, 1864 at the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse by a Confederate sharpshooter. The last non brevetted general killed in the war was Major General James B. McPherson on July 22, 1864 during the Atlanta Campaign by Confederate infantry from the division of William J. Hardee. On the other hand, if you mean the last general, whether brevetted or not, killed in action during the war was Brevet Brigadier General Theodore Read who was killed on April 6, 1865 at High Bridge, Virginia. I hope one of these responses is correct. David.