Details
SHERMAN, WILLIAM TECUMSEH. Major General. Autograph letter signed ("W.T. Sherman") to the Publishers Harper Brothers in New York; "Head Quarters 15 Army Corps. Camp before Vicksburg," 29 March 1863. 1 1/2 pages, 4to, integral blank, short separations at several folds, small repair at top edge of first leaf.
FROM "CAMP BEFORE VICKSBURG," SHERMAN ADVISES A PUBLISHER ON A NEW MILITARY MANUAL.
A very unusual letter written during the difficult days of the Vicksburg Campaign, in which Sherman, takes time out from his command duties to comment on a new military manual, giving (rather briefly), his opinion of the work and advising the Boston publisher as to its publication. "Gentlemen, Yours of March 5 reached me last night on my return from an Expedition up Deer Creek. The copy of Rutterfield's Camp & Outpost Duty is also received and I have given it a hasty glance. It fills a vacuum hitherto in our Military Manuals and should be extensively circulated. All such Books must come to us from the War Department, stamped with Authority before we can use it as Authority. I would advise you to seek such approval by the Secretary of War and have it introduced [mentioned] in the title page, so as to be issued by the War Department and made Universal. Then that Department would purchase large numbers and distribute them. Corps Commanders would not be justified in doing this singly. Should you succeed in this I would advise its publication in part Edition on linen paper, so as to be carried in the pockets of Officers on outpost duty, and such as are published on paper should have a pliable leather, waterproof cover for similar reasons. This to be sure would increase its cost, but would insure its real value fourfold...."
After several failed attempts, Grant's launched his final offensive, which involved the encirclement of Vicksburg from the east. After a long seige the Confederate bastion surrendered on 4 July 1863.
FROM "CAMP BEFORE VICKSBURG," SHERMAN ADVISES A PUBLISHER ON A NEW MILITARY MANUAL.
A very unusual letter written during the difficult days of the Vicksburg Campaign, in which Sherman, takes time out from his command duties to comment on a new military manual, giving (rather briefly), his opinion of the work and advising the Boston publisher as to its publication. "Gentlemen, Yours of March 5 reached me last night on my return from an Expedition up Deer Creek. The copy of Rutterfield's Camp & Outpost Duty is also received and I have given it a hasty glance. It fills a vacuum hitherto in our Military Manuals and should be extensively circulated. All such Books must come to us from the War Department, stamped with Authority before we can use it as Authority. I would advise you to seek such approval by the Secretary of War and have it introduced [mentioned] in the title page, so as to be issued by the War Department and made Universal. Then that Department would purchase large numbers and distribute them. Corps Commanders would not be justified in doing this singly. Should you succeed in this I would advise its publication in part Edition on linen paper, so as to be carried in the pockets of Officers on outpost duty, and such as are published on paper should have a pliable leather, waterproof cover for similar reasons. This to be sure would increase its cost, but would insure its real value fourfold...."
After several failed attempts, Grant's launched his final offensive, which involved the encirclement of Vicksburg from the east. After a long seige the Confederate bastion surrendered on 4 July 1863.