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Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891 [Annual Report to Sec. of War Robert Lincoln from Commanding General William T. Sherman]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03005 Author/Creator: Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Autograph document signed Date: 3 November 1881 Pagination: 22 p. : Height: 32 cm, Width: 21 cm Order a Copy

Sherman's working copy of his annual report for 1881. Sherman enumerates and sums up the reports of various generals. He updates Lincoln on Indian affairs, " ... no serious Indian or other war has occurred but great progress has been Made in collecting and locating Indians hitherto hostile on their proper Reservations. Sitting Bull and his adherents who had fled into British Territory, are now held at Fort Randall Dakota as prisoners of War ... " He also emphasizes the need for military education; because it has been the practice of the U.S. to maintain a small army, the volunteer militia must be kept up to date enough to be called up on short notice. " ... and as the Science of War is progressive we must keep pace with it, so as to import to the Volunteer Militia on the Shortest Notice all that is Known of the Art & Practice of War up to the Moment of Execution..." This is apparently Sherman's working copy, signed "W.T.S." Pages 3, 22 and 23 are missing from the 25 page report.

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891
Lincoln, Robert Todd, 1843-1926

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