July 2013 Auction Ends Tuesday, July 23rd, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2013
William Tecumseh Sherman autograph letter signed ''W.T. Sherman''. Sherman writes to longtime friend and West Point classmate General Stewart Van Vliet from his home in New York, dated 27 June 1890. With excellent content, in large part, ''...it occurred to me that my three subordinate Generals at the close of the war are still living. I invited them [John] Schofield, [O.O.] Howard, & [Henry] Slocum to dine with me here Feb 8th my 70th birthday...I had hardly committed myself before some personal friends of the Union League Club offered me a Grand Reception which compelled me to explain - the correspondents rushed here to get items and I answered it was purely a private matter with which they had nothing to do...The simple truth is my dinner on Feb 8 is for the army comrades who were with me at the close of the war...I am often embarrassed by these well meant tenders of hospitality. Only a few days ago Andrew Carnegie called with his wife and in the course of the visit said he had noticed my attendance at the New England, Hibernian, St. Nicholas, and other organizations and asked if I would not attend his, the Caledonians. I answered that at St. Louis I always was the guest of the Caledonians on St. Andrew's day - and would with pleasure attend his on due notice. In time I received the card with a printed programme, in which I was set down for the Regular Speech on Robt Burns. At once I wrote Carnegie that I had out of personal regard for him been led into a great mistake. I could not attempt such an address...The affair came off last Saturday, and though adjointed I was not present. - I am tired of such public occasions...Your old friend, W.T. Sherman''. Four page letter, on two sheets of card-style stationery, measures 5.5'' x 9''. ''Sherman'' is written in blue pencil on last page, otherwise near fine.
William Tecumseh Sherman Autograph Letter Signed -- ''...my dinner on Feb 8 is for the army comrades who were with me at the close of the war...''
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