June 2012 Auction Ends Thursday, June 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/28/2012
General William T. Sherman autograph letter signed, dated 14 April 1888 to General William Strong. Sherman writes from New York City, where he made his home after his 1884 retirement from the Army. Here he disputes an account by a soldier of the 8th Missouri who claimed that he carried a flag during the fighting at Vicksburg. Sherman, who served under General Ulysses Grant during the campaigns that led to the fall of the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg, recalls details of the fighting, including the status of various flags on the battlefield. Letter reads in full, ''Of course I hate to spoil a story which probably this soldier Trogden believes. The First assault on Vicksburg was May 19th at my front along the grave yard Road -- by Blair's Division -- Ewing and Giles Smith's brigades to the right of the road, and Kilby Smith on the left. The only flags which reached the Exterior slope were those of the Battalion of the 13th Regulars whose comdg offr (Washington) was killed, the 83rd Indiana (Spooner) and 127th Illinois (Eldridge). There was no Division flag, and that of the 8th Mo was not reported nor seen by me though in person I was close up. These colors remained till night when they were brought off. Meantime the Rebels hugged the Parapet inside and we outside, some on the Exterior slope, some in the ditch, but the greater part immediately outside when at night we threw up a parapet and during the rest of the Siege the Rebel ditch was common to both parties at that point. The second assault was made at 2 PM May 22 simultaneous with McPhersons & McClernands Corps far to our left -- over the same ground -- Blair's Division in advance, Tuttle's in Support, Steele half a mile to the right toward the River. The only flag which reached the Rebel parapet was the one carried by the Storming party, specially selected from the whole of Blair's Divn and the 11th Missouri of Mower's Brigade of Tuttle's Division. These flags were covered by our sharpshooters outside the ditch till night when they were with drawn and the parapet extended, so as to cover a Brigade. I find no mention of any such event as described in the enclosed papers. The 8th Mo was in Giles Smith's Brigade -- was composed of bold men, and I dislike to dispute the claim of the most humble man in its ranks. You know how sometimes these halucinations [sic] take possession of individual soldiers, and this one reminds me of what is repeated of General Taylor when President. Some applicant for office urged his claims in person describing his heroism at Buena Vista, the Generals pet battle, when he exclaimed, 'I thought I was at the Battle of Buena Vista, but have heard of so many things that occurred there I have come to the conclusion I was not there at all.' So with me I thought I was close in both assaults and saw pretty much every thing within half a mile but I did not see Trogden at all that day nor did I witness or hear of that heroic deed that elicited the hearty cheers of both contending armies. Still as he was of the 8th Missouri any charity in money or praise cannot be amiss. / Always with fondness / Your Friend / W.T. Sherman''. Minor creasing and soiling to 5.5'' x 9'' four page card style letter, else near fine.
Fantastic William Sherman Autograph Letter Signed -- Sherman Details the Assault on Vicksburg -- ''...You know how sometimes these halucinations [sic] take possession of individual soldiers...''
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