OUTSTANDING EIGHT-PAGE AUTOGRAPH LETTER BY GENERAL SHERMAN DISCUSSING HIS TRAVELS THROUGH THE AMERICAN WEST WITH GENERALS SHERIDAN AND SLOCUM DURING THE SUMMER OF 1875
SHERMAN, William Tecumseh. Autograph letter signed. St. Louis, August 26, 1875. Two sheets of lined letterhead folded in half, each measuring 5 by 8 inches; pp. 8. $2800.
Extraordinary eight-page autograph letter detailing General Sherman’s travels through the Midwest, Great Plains, and West with Generals Sheridan and Slocum during the summer of 1875 as well as his schedule for the coming fall including his planned attendance at an Army meeting and at a meeting of the Army of the Tennessee, written entirely in Sherman’s hand as General and Commander of the Army and signed by him.
The eight-page letter written on official "Headquarters Army of the United States" letterhead and dated St. Louis, Mo. Aug 26 1875, reads, in part: "Dear Andenried, We got back yesterday-that is Genl Slocum, Elly & Self-The trip was altogether spontaneous-I had no exact idea, but had appointed to meet Genl Slocum at Chicago Aug 4, proposing to make a short trip to Machinac, Slt St Marie &c in the early part of August before Genl Sheridan got off-but on meeting Genl Slocum I learned he had last summer been on Lake Superior. So to accommodate him we turned at Green Bay to St. Paul & Omaha and then meeting Genl Sheridan & party we went along to Cheyenne, whence we turned for Denver & home. I found Denver wonderfully improved, too as fine hotels as exist anywhere, and hundreds of houses & stores, with railroads in every direction… All my family is here, but Mrs Sherman will soon go East to put Elly to school as the Convent at Manhattanville N.Y. Island-She talks of a long visit which I encourage… As you know I don't need much help-I expect to attend an army meeting at Rockville Ind-near Terra Haute, on the 6th of Sept-to Quincy Ind abt the 15 of Sept-and to the Army of the Tennessee at Des Moines Iowa-Sept 29-30. If you want to be at any of these you may meet me, but I don't advise you to give up a better thing-There is absolutely no duty here to do, which one may not discharge in an hour per day-I have before me a pile of useless letters, but which no one can answer but myself… Truly yr Friend, W.T. Sherman." This letter is particularly desirable as it reflects how Sherman spent his life after the Civil War. He was devoted to improving the military administration, particularly military education, to attending events with Civil War veterans, and to spending time traveling with family and friends, all of which he mentions here. Sherman's acclaimed but controversial Memoirs were published the same year this letter was written.
Original fold creases. Fine condition.