"THE FIRST MODERN GENERAL": FIRST EDITION OF SHERMAN'S MEMOIRS, 1875

SHERMAN, William Tecumseh. Memoirs of General William T. Sherman. New York: D. Appleton, 1875. Two volumes. Octavo, original blue cloth stamped in black and gilt. $800.

First edition of Sherman's invaluable autobiography, with large folding map.

"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, The Civil War in Books 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 a pocket at rear of Volume II. With publisher's advertisments at rear: Vol. I (1 leaf); Vol. II (3 leaves). Dornbusch II:2429. Each volume with contemporary gift inscription dated year of publication.

Interior very fresh, large map with only tiny bit of wear at foldlines, mild edge-wear to bright gilt-stamped cloth. A near-fine copy.