Lot 339
Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) Union general famous for his scorched-earth tactics. Autograph letter signed ("W.T. Sherman"), 2 pages, recto & verso, on blue lined Headquarters, Military Division of the Mississippi, In the Field stationery, Mississippi, October 27, 1864. To Genl Wilson [James Harrison Wilson] (1837-1925). After serving under McClellan, Wilson returned to the Western Theater and Grant's army in 1864. He became one of the few Union commanders to defeat Confederate cavalier Nathan Bedford Forrest in battle, at the Battle of Franklin in November 1864. Wilson ended the war with his men capturing both Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Andersonville Prison commandant Henry Wirz. Sherman, while deep in enemy territory without a line of communication to friendly territory, and anxious about the mood and locations of the rebel forces, especially those of John Bell Hood, writes Wilson for much needed tactical information for his eventual march to the sea:
"Your two despatches are received. I am anxious to learn what Cavalry if any are left back towards Villa Rica & the Chattahoochee. Appearances are still at variance. A position report comes that Hardee's Corps is in Willis Valley, and the Enemy's Cavalry followed Gerard in from Turkey Town. I have no doubt a large part if not the whole of Hood's army has gone off towards Decatur. He would not venture up to Guntersville though he might feign all along the River from Decatur to Gunters. I hardly think he would give so much publicity to a movement into Tennessee. Still Hood is capable of undertaking anything. Find out if you can if the Enemy has a Comm. Line on the road from Newnan Georgia via Villa Rica, Cedartown, Jacksonville, Gadsden, etc. I would like you to hit some…of the Cavalry a good bit if they will stand, for you can judge if they cover anything like a depot of stores at River Mountain. I ordered Schofield to send a Brigade of Light Infantry out some 5 miles tomorrow morning." Age toned. Slight separation at top of vertical fold. Glue remnants along right edge verso. With a printed portrait photograph of General Sherman, black & white, 5 x 3¼ in.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 5,000.
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| Realized $5,040 |
