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William T. Sherman Autograph Letters Signed (7)....
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Description
William T. Sherman Autograph Letters Signed (7). Seven letters dated between November 1873 and October 1885. The letters are from Sherman to friends, colleagues, and business associates, spanning the final years of his military career and the beginning of his retirement. Each is signed, "W. T. Sherman."By 1873 William T. Sherman was serving as Commanding General of the U.S. Army, a position he had held since 1869 following Ulysses S. Grant's election to the presidency. As the Army's senior officer, Sherman focused on reorganizing the military in the aftermath of the Civil War. He took a hard line against Native American resistance, pushing for military campaigns against tribes that refused to allow U.S. expansion into their territories. In 1874, frustrated by opposition from Eastern reformers, he moved Army headquarters from Washington, D.C. to St. Louis, Missouri, where he published his Memoirs the following year. Sherman returned to Washington in 1876 and remained in command through the following years of the Indian Wars, retiring in 1884 at the then-mandatory age of 64. He spent the next few years in St. Louis before relocating to New York City in late 1886, where he lived until his death in 1891.
Includes:
ALS to Henry S. Turner. November 10, 1873. Four pages of a bifolium, 5 x 8 inches, Washington, D.C. Sherman writes to his long-time banking partner, Henry Smith Turner, discussing the repayment of large debts owed by Henry Meiggs, a lumber dealer and infamous swindler from San Francisco. In part: "If Meiggs however acknowledges to $32,000 in the aggregate, and has a bond from the firm that no claim against him, arising from either of these two obligations to Lucas Turner & Co., shall ever be raised against him, I have no doubt whatever he will provide for them as though surrendered."
ALS to Orville E. Babcock. Two pages, 4 7/8 x 8 1/8 inches, Washington, D.C.; December 2, 1873. A brief note to Babcock, asking if President Grant would be available to meet the U.S. Marshal of Montana. Babcock had served as Sherman's aide de camp during the Civil War, relaying dispatches between Sherman and Grant during the March to the Sea. In full: "The U.S. Marshal of Montana and two lady friends of his want me to present them to the president. If the President is at leisure for a few minutes about 11 or 12 today, I will attend them. Please let me know, for I don't want to intrude."
ALS to the "Commanding Officer" in Atlanta. Two pages of a bifolium, 5 x 8 inches, St. Louis, Missouri; October 30, 1874. Sherman writes to the Commanding Officer in Atlanta, Georgia, asking that he meet with William Forster. In part, "Should this letter be presented you by the Rt Hon W.E. Forster the P of England and his Companion Mr Ruxton, I beg you will receive them with marked Courtesy, and be good enough...to show them the key permits and places of soonest conflict."
ALS to William Scott. Three pages of a bifolium, 5 x 8 inches, St. Louis, Missouri; January 22, 1875. Sherman writes to his friend, William Scott, asking him to meet with a "Mr. Fitch" to discuss stocks. He also asks Scott to check on a package sent to his wife by the Khedive of Egypt, which Sherman cannot retrieve until "a Bill passes Congress."
ALS to "Moulton." Four pages of a bifolium, 5 1/4 x 8 inches, St. Louis, Missouri; May 3, 1875. Sherman discusses meeting his wife, Eleanor, and a "Charles" (possibly his brother-in-law, Charles Moulton) on the same day at separate train stations several miles apart, writing that he will "have to work smart to meet both."
ALS to Mary C. Audenried. Four pages of a bifolium, 5 x 8 inches, Washington, D.C; April 6, 1883. Sherman writes to "Mrs. Audenried," sending his condolences for the death of her father. The widow of Sherman's former aide de camp Joseph Audenried, Mary maintained an ongoing correspondence with Sherman, leading to speculation that the two were engaged in an affair. In part: "The morning paper announced the death of your father yesterday aged 74...to say that I sympathize with you and all the family in this the greatest possible calamity of our life seems to fall far short of what I ought to do, but now is not the time."
ALS to John E. Tourtelotte. Eight pages on two bifolia, 5 x 8 inches, St. Louis, Missouri; October 4, 1885. Sherman writes to his former aide de camp discussing several topics, including the "ugly little controversy" of Mary C. Audenried placing her daughter, Florence, in a Catholic convent. He also comments on enjoying a test drive of Tourtelotte's buggy, writing, "It is actually better than new-a week ago today I drove it over 30 miles 'across lots' and think I will venture to climb a tree with it."
Condition: Letters are lightly age-toned with expected folds, with some separations at the edges. Light pencil annotations, scattered staining and foxing, paperclip impressions, and staple holes are present. Letter dated October 4 has punch holes at the left margin on all pages, touching text but not affecting legibility. Letter dated January 22 has several separations at the folds, with the integral fold and folds on page one just holding; separations reinforced with tape on page four. Letter dated May 3 is moderately toned on pages one and four; a bit of loss at the embossed seal in the bottom left corner; strip of adhesive at the right margin of page four, likely from previous mounting; tear at the bottom edge of page one, measuring approximately 3/4 inch, touching text but not affecting legibility.
Auction Info
2025 August 8 Historical Manuscripts Including Texana Signature® Auction #6322 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
August, 2025
8th
Friday
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