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William Sherman Autograph Letter Signed "W. T. Sherman/ Maj Genl". ...
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Description
"I will disturb the railroad ... Blair can burn the bridges and culverts and also enough cotton gins and barns to mark the progress of his head of column."
William Sherman Autograph Letter Signed "W. T. Sherman/ Maj Genl". Two and one-half pages, 7.75" x 9.75", December 5, 1864, "In the field, Ogeechee Church", on "Headquarters, Military Division of the Mississippi" letterhead, "Maj. Genl. [O. O.] Howard. Commd. Army of the Tenn." This important letter was written less than three weeks before Sherman sent his famous telegram presenting President Lincoln with his Christmas present of "the city of Savannah." While on his way there, Sherman writes this letter to coordinate his hell-raising total war against the Southern countryside. In part: "Since sending the messenger to you this a.m. Gen'l Blair has entered this place almost unopposed. Some Field works are fresh. And so far as I have examined would be such as would be thrown up by 5,000 inexperienced hands. . . . he [Slocum] has not heard from Davis and Kilpatrick since he heard their firing yesterday morn'g. Davis has orders to move from the point where he separated from Slocum, namely Buckhead Church, to Halley's Ferry abreast of this on the Savannah via Sylvania. I have sent a courier to Slocum to communicate with Davis at once and report to me at what moment he will be ready to move on. You will observe that with Davis at Halley's we threaten South Carolina. And to that extend will confuse our enemy. But I will not lose a moment. Only we must move in concert, or else will get lost. You may make all the dispositions to cross, at 3, but the point 2 is the true one unless modified by local geography. I will disturb the Railroad but little south of this, as we may have use for it out this far. Still Blair can burn the bridges and culverts and also enough cotton gins and barns to mark the progress of his head of column. I don't want him to start till I know Davis is abreast." The letter is toned with smoothed folds. Some light foxing. Hinged to the blank verso of page three is a typed transcription of the letter. Fine condition.Auction Info
2009 December Signature Arms & Militaria Including Civil War Auction #6021 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2009
12th
Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,866
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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