|
Sale 12
|
|
press UP arrow key to increase the zoom ratio.
press DOWN arrow key to decrease the zoom ratio.
press RIGHT arrow key to increase the zoom window size.
press LEFT arrow key to decrease the zoom window size.
|
|
Lot 264
[Grant, Ulysses S.]. An extraordinary collection of letters. Four William Tecumseh Sherman ALSs and one LS; one Philip Sheridan LS; two Horace Porter LSs; one letter (related to Sheridan's memoirs) from William Duncan, all to retired Brigadier General William Emerson Strong.
In the late 1880s, General William Emerson Strong, a retired Union officer contacted his friends and old comrades William Sherman, Philip Sheridan and Horace Porter, asking their opinion about a monument to General Grant that was being planned for Chicago. The equestrian statue, to be erected in Lincoln Park, meant to picture Grant in the field, and who better to comment on such a portrayal than the men who had spent so much time with him in those trying circumstances? These letters provide not only a physical description of the man, but also some insight into what his intimates remembered about him and how they wanted him to be remembered.
Strong, who had served first on McPherson's staff (and, in fact, received McPherson's final orders) and then as Chief of Staff for General O.O. Howard, found distinction in every battle and campaign he fought with the Army of the Tennessee and he was even accorded the honor of raising the American Flag over Vicksburg following its 1863 surrender. After the War, Strong promoted the causes of Union veterans, amassed a large collection of war related items and was an enthusiastic member of the Loyal Legion. It is in his position as a caretaker for the Union Army's legacy that he took such an active part in the creation of sculptor Louis Rebisso's monument to Grant. A close personal friend to Sheridan's and also to Sherman, Strong was able to turn to these men to assist in the final decisions about the statue and counted on them to be present at the unveiling. The letters offered in this lot show that Strong was in frequent contact with Generals, sending sketches and photographs of preliminary models, and must have taken their suggestions quite seriously when the statue was finalized. In March of 1887, Sheridan writes: "…I do not believe it necessary to be too accurate as to details, and I am very well pleased with the photograph of it you send me. If I can offer any objection to the horse it is that his attention seems to be directed to some such object as a mare…The side view of General Grant does look slightly stooped…the bridle hand is too low; to be tactical it should be raised to the height of the elbow…General Grant very seldom wore top boots…I earnestly hope you will be successful in obtaining a statue that will be creditable to Chicago." Porter is also concerned with the portrayal of the General of the field: "…The side view of the figure makes him look a little more stooped in the back than he appeared in the field when mounted -- he usually straightened up pretty well when he got on a horse and was not so stoop-shouldered then, as he grew twenty years later…" That same year Sherman gets right to the point, "…Grant will be remembered in after ages as General Grant not as President Grant. Therefore the Equestrian Statue -- and the period of the presentation in bronze will be Appomattox. He was then Lieut General…" [bold added] In November of 1888, as New York also planned a monument, Sherman writes "…In my judgment the horse and rider are excellent, and reflect great credit on the designer. I am glad you have made such progress in this matter. Ours at St. Louis was the first done, but you are entitled to great praise notwithstanding…" By 1890, it is obvious Sherman and Strong have been working on arrangements for a ceremony and unveiling of the statue: "…remembering that the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, the first Army which Grant commanded, have been publicly invited to participate in the necessary ceremonies of the dedication of this statue, that they are ready, and only seek time enough to summon scattered members…" The beautiful, and so lovingly created, monument to Grant was finally unveiled in 1891, to the requisite fanfare and celebration such an undertaking deserved.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000.
Please note the other General Strong items in our Civil War Memorabilia section.
|
| |
| Realized $2,990 |
|
