1874

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Book signed

Title: Report of the proceedings of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, at the Seveth Annual Meeting ...

Title continues, " ... held at Toledo, Ohio, October 17 and 18, 1873." Printed by Robert Clarke & Co. With Mathew Brady imperial carte-de-visite of General William T. Sherman pasted on the flyleaf facing the title page, signed by Sherman on the mount. The book prints the constitution, by-laws, meeting proceedings, reports of officers, a list of members, etc. Also contains text of Sherman's address to his comrades. Original green cloth gilt stamped binding.

GLC01241

1838

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Book signed

Title: An elementary course in civil engineering for the use of the cadets of the United States Military Academy

Signed by Sherman on the first fly leaf, "Sherman/West Point N.Y./Sept 1st/39." Class book for cadets written by D.H. Mahan, a professor of military and civil engineering at the Academy. Printed by Wiley and Putnam, New York. With doodles and a joke, "Cadet Sherman has permission to go just where he pleases," written in pencil on the dedication page. With bookplate from the library of John Sherman. Fold out diagrams at the end.

GLC01243

23 November 1862

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Manuscript document

Title: General order no. 94

Written by order of General Sherman but signed by J. H. Hammond as Adjutant General. Assigns Brigadier General Jacob Gartner Lauman commander of 6th Brigade. Provides for the garrisoning of Fort Pickering by three regiments of regulars and one or two companies of sick and wounded. Requests that the post Quarter Master provide a storehouse, so that the men about to march may leave their excess baggage behind. Directs the men to be ready to march by 26 November. These maneuvers eventually culminated on Sherman's assault on Chickasaw Bluffs, an early part of the Vicksburg campaign.

GLC01258

23 July 1864

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Letter signed

Title: to Lorenzo Thomas

Reports death of Brigadier General James McPherson to General Thomas.

GLC01875.01

30 May 1865

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Manuscript document

Title: Special field order no. 76

Brigade-level copy of Sherman's farewell message to his troops and orders for their triumphant march, the Grand Review, through Washington, D.C. "The General Commanding announces to the Army of Tennessee, and Georgia, that the time has come for us to part. Our work is done, and armed enemies no longer defy us." Reminisces about past events and battles of the war in which the armies participated, including the famous march from Atlanta to Savannah. Ends by stating, " ... in war you have been good soldiers, so in peace you will make good citizens, and if unfortunately new war should arise…

GLC01909

December 7, 1863

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eli Long

Sherman writes to Colonel Long (later General) ordering him to mount his cavalry to raid and capture a Confederate train that passed into the mountains toward Georgia. Advises him to, "Take all the horses, mules and animals that you can from citizens and make all captives of prisoners and enemies property that you can." Instructs him to cause as much confusion and alarm as possible. States that he (Sherman) will hold a force at Telico Plains at Columbus until Long returns and will try to have supplies waiting. Encourages Long by saying, "You have already done good and hard service. Do this at…

GLC01887

7 August 1864

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry W. Halleck

Gives a detailed description of the unsuccessful cavalry raids by George Stoneman and Daniel McCook, Jr. at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. Both took place on the June 27, 1864 in accordance with Sherman's Order 42. Before the raids, Stoneman asked Sherman's permission to attempt to free union prisoners held in Macon and Andersonville after the battle. Sherman consented. McCook heroically led the raid against a superior force, and was mortally wounded. Sherman was criticized for this attack against General Johnston's entrenched forces, which resulted in heavy union casualties.

GLC01961

circa 1865

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Signature

Title: [Clipped signature]

GLC02063.06

1 October 1872

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horace Rublee

Thanks Rublee for gifts and hospitality on his recent trip to Switzerland. Discusses President Ulysses S. Grant's reelection contest, declaring, "I see the President daily and he takes things as easy as though he had no interest in the Contest that now captivates our newspapers." Also states he might send his daughter to Europe over the winter and will have her stop in to see Rublee and his wife. Written on Headquarters Army of the United States letterhead.

GLC02332

16 May 1862

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Philemon Ewing

Just after the battle of Shiloh, Major General Sherman defends himself from reports in the press that he falsely discredited Ohio troops. He describes a letter fueling those reports published by Colonel Rodney Mason, commander of the 71st Ohio, who had been accused of cowardice. Sherman explains how brigades were assigned to various commanders from Ohio and Illinois, determined by seniority. He tells the story of Mason's cowardly inaction during the battle, but comments that he declined to include a discussion of it in his official report. He also denies the accusation that Shiloh was a…

GLC02331

28 April 1887

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Letter signed

Title: to G. R. Brown

Writes to Brown as the Editor of the New York Syndicate Bureau. Refuses to write an article requested by Brown. Exhibits his characteristically negative attitude toward newspapers and reporters by saying, "Further I would respectfully say that I am opposed to writing newspaper articles generally, and no consideration on your part could possibly overcome this determination."

GLC02350

5 July 1863

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Manuscript document

Title: [General orders regarding military strategy after the surrender of Vicksburg, Mississippi]

Instructs the 13th, 15th, and 9th Army Corp in the route each should take to reach Clinton in an attempt to capture Confederate forces retreating from Vicksburg. Sherman orders, "All commanders will hold their troops in perfect order for Battle at all times, and on encountering the enemy will engage him at once." Warns against pillage and plunder. "the people of the country should be protected as far as possible against the cruel and wanton acts of irresponsible parties." Docketed on top of first page, "Original Orders - found near Clinton [Miss.] on the 8th of July, 1863" Written from…

GLC02412

30 October 1883

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John C. Tidball

Writes a friendly letter to Tidball about how their military circle is breaking up since Tidball is leaving to head the Artillery School at Fort Monroe, and Sherman has left for St . Louis. Praises Tidball's reputation over the years he has known him and wishes him the best of luck in his new position. Hopes Tidball will remember their years working together fondly. Written on stationery of the Headquarters, Army of the United States.

GLC02246

4 April 1883

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson Hunt

Sherman, Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States, invites Hunt to address the Artillery School at Old Point Comfort, Virginia, on an artillery subject of Hunt's choice. Sherman suggests the topic of "Modern Changes in Sea Coast and Field guns... " Docket possibly created by Hunt. Written on Headquarters, Army of the United States stationery.

GLC02382.059

26 June 1864

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph document signed

Title: Special field orders

Signed "W.T.S." Apparently a draft of orders, unnumbered, with cross outs and additions. Concerns the strategy for rationing supplies at the start of Atlanta campaign. Also details procedures for dealing with deficiencies of supplies due to railroad service or other causes. Lists the men that should be counted for supplies (officers, men present for duty, sick, unarmed cooks, teamsters, etc.). States that "All other persons dependant on our supplies are useless mouths which we cannot afford to feed and should be sent north of Nashville." Written on printed stationary from the Military…

GLC02137

September 9, 1861

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. Mora Gross

Sherman discusses cadet appointments to West Point for Mora's nephew (the Military Academy did not fill the slots left by seceding states with candidates from loyal states) and how his influence has lessened since commanding a defeated brigade at the battle of Bull Run. He also briefly alludes to his current help to Gen. Robert Anderson in Kentucky and his feeling that "[w]e are in for a long & bloody Civil War."

GLC01686

March 16, 1863

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen Augustus Hurlbut

Sherman writes about his surprise that General Hurlbut's nomination is being opposed in the Senate. He castigates the press, "I have been foolish to excite the animosity of the Newspaper fraternity ... but this class of men are so supercilious that whenever I come in contact with them I feel a natural repugnance which they are smart enough to see." Informs that he has been summoned to Young Point to meet General Ulysses S. Grant's boat. States he will leave tomorrow but cannot mention the exact route. Informs that the original plan to take Vicksburg, which he still feels is best, was to "form…

GLC01582

January 3, 1867

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E. L. Plumb

Examines the situation in Mexico, but feels it is a conflict that should be avoided. Fears a "distinct Indian War" that will consume a large amount of American military resources, and does not want to also be fighting in Mexico. Feels people should "organize a State of Republican Govt." as their primary focus.

GLC01545.01

March 28, 1864

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. M. Sawyer

Instructs Sawyer, Assistant Adjutant General of forces in Nashville, Tennessee, to ready his cavalry to pursue Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest. States Forrest likely will not try to take Fort Donelson, Tennessee, but will instead move into Kentucky. Instructs Sawyer to order Union General Lovell H. Rousseau to hold infantry at Nashville until Forrest's direction is determined. Speculating that Forrest divided his command, orders General James Clifford Veatch to cover the area west, and Rousseau to cover the area east of the Tennessee River. States that if Forrest crosses into…

GLC00119

December 11, 1881

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edgar A. Hamilton

Sherman writes to Reverend Hamilton to eulogize General Hugh Judson Kirkpatrick shortly after his death, praising Kirkpatrick's merits as a soldier and a officer during both peace time and the Civil War. He writes, in part, "I never knew a more enthusiastic...cavalry officer, and I was personally indebted to him for the quickness he displayed in comprehending my purpose and the earnestness with which he executed his part..." Written on stationary of the Headquarters Army of the United States.

GLC00223

February 21, 1867

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ann Chase

Lieutenant General Sherman replies to a letter from Chase, wife of Franklin Chase, United States Consul in Tampico, Mexico. States that his "connexion with Mr. Campbell's mission is not generally understood," possibly referring to President Andrew Johnson's 1866 order for Sherman to command troops in the absence of General Ulysses S. Grant, while Grant escorted Minister Plenipotentiary Lewis Campbell to Mexico. Predicts that the government set up by France in Mexico, headed by Archduke Fernando Maximilian, will "return to Europe leaving the Mexicans substantially free to choose their own…

GLC00577

July 19, 1864

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George H. Thomas

Sherman writes to General Thomas, also engaged in the Atlanta campaign. He refers to a note from General George Stoneman endorsed by Thomas, which reported the advance of troops under the command of Confederate General John Hood. Sherman writes that he can not reconcile information in the note with what he has seen and heard. He thinks it is possible "that the Enemy is crossing in force at the mouth of the Sweetwater. I think it is the cavalry by way of diversion. Please send to Gen Stoneman again and see if he has ascertained the truth..." He writes that Stoneman and General Edward McCook…

GLC00583

July 20, 1864

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James B. McPherson or John A. Logan

Also addressed to John A. Logan, commander of the 15th corps, Army of the Tennessee. Sherman explains his own position and the positions and plans of the divisions under the command of John McAllister Schofield, Oliver O. Howard, and George H. Thomas, as well as the location of the enemy. He instructs McPherson to attack Atlanta with 20-pound Parrotts. Written in pencil on stationery: "Headquarters, Military Division of the Mississippi." Written two days before McPherson's death.

GLC00607

March 15, 1863

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel Robert Crooke Wood

Sherman writes to Assistant Surgeon General Wood (Sherman incorrectly addresses the letter to "C.R." Wood). Sherman writes about his armies' medical preparedness, commenting that they are well supplied with surgeons, medicines, medical supplies, and hospital accommodations. He extensively praises his Chief Surgeon, Dr. Charles McMillan. Sherman shows concern for soldiers wounded in the Vicksburg campaign. He writes from camp before Vicksburg.

GLC00667

February 19, 1867

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alfred H. Terry

William T. Sherman writes to Major General Terry about military and Indian matters on the Great Plains. He discusses the establishment of military posts in Montana, the distribution of military forces, the regulation of travel across the plains, and tactics used by and to be used against the Sioux, voicing his opinion that should the "Enemies of the Civilized races of man" attempt to escape across the Canadian border, "they may be pursued a reasonable distance." On the matter of crossing the border, he writes: "Still internation[inserted: al] country might be offended...If the Indians learn…

GLC00668