"THE FIRST MODERN GENERAL": FIRST EDITION OF SHERMAN'S MEMOIRS

SHERMAN, William Tecumseh. Memoirs of General William T. Sherman by Himself. New York: D. Appleton, 1875. Two volumes. Octavo, contemporary three-quarter pebbled navy morocco, raised bands, marbled boards. $1500.

First edition of this invaluable Civil War autobiography by "one of the most famous generals of the war," with large folding map, handsomely bound.

"Penned with intelligence and passion, [Sherman's Memoirs] cover the periods of birth to the Meridian Expedition early in 1864 (Volume I) and the remainder of the war to the commander's first decade following the war (Volume II)… The Memoirs frankly describe the rights and wrongs of the Civil War campaigns Sherman experienced, without regard to stepping on the feelings of others. The work is not unduly harsh, but is unwaveringly honest (as the author viewed these events)… The writing in this work is enjoyable, more so than the average soldier's memoirs, and the enlightened opinions of the second-ranking Federal officer on a multitude of operations make the work invaluable" (Eicher 576). "One of the most famous generals of the war, Sherman wrote as he fought: dynamically and bluntly" (Nevins II:89). Large folding map housed in rear pocket of Volume II. Rear advertisement leaves in each volume. Dornbusch II:2429. Armorial bookplates of Scottish statesman Harold John Tennant.

Interior fresh and crisp, light edge-wear, toning to spines. A handsome copy.