Details
SHERMAN, WILLIAM TECUMSEH, General. Autograph letter signed ("W. T. Sherman") to Indiana Governor Oliver H. P. Morton, Memphis, 2 November 1862. 2 pages, 4to, integral blank, lined stationery, tiny loss to upper right corner.
"WE ARE FAR ADVANCED IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY"
A fine war-date letter. Sherman requests that Provost Marshall Col. D.C. Anthony be allowed to remain in Memphis: "...I dislike to mingle official matters with private preferences, but where these are perfectly consistent with the public good there can be no real objections...Anthony has been in Memphis...since the day of its occupation by our forces. He is familiar with its people, and its relation to other parts of the country. And as in the progress of the war this is surely destined to be a base of operations, it is all important that it should be held securely and with the confidence of the people...[O]ur cause would suffer by his loss or transfer to another sphere of action. Instead of joining his regiment, cannot his regiment join him? We are far advanced in the enemy's country, and we are prepared to go in the moment the other armies get abreast of us. Indiana is not represented on this line, that of the great river [Mississippi], the most important in my judgement of all the lines of operation through the enemy's country. Can you send that regiment here or to General Grant who would...promptly assent to its coming to Memphis...I know with what interest and jealousy you watch the position of your state troops, but...Indiana should have a full representation and in this point of view if no other, I urge your influence in having...[Colonel Anthony's] Regiment ordered to Memphis..."
"WE ARE FAR ADVANCED IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY"
A fine war-date letter. Sherman requests that Provost Marshall Col. D.C. Anthony be allowed to remain in Memphis: "...I dislike to mingle official matters with private preferences, but where these are perfectly consistent with the public good there can be no real objections...Anthony has been in Memphis...since the day of its occupation by our forces. He is familiar with its people, and its relation to other parts of the country. And as in the progress of the war this is surely destined to be a base of operations, it is all important that it should be held securely and with the confidence of the people...[O]ur cause would suffer by his loss or transfer to another sphere of action. Instead of joining his regiment, cannot his regiment join him? We are far advanced in the enemy's country, and we are prepared to go in the moment the other armies get abreast of us. Indiana is not represented on this line, that of the great river [Mississippi], the most important in my judgement of all the lines of operation through the enemy's country. Can you send that regiment here or to General Grant who would...promptly assent to its coming to Memphis...I know with what interest and jealousy you watch the position of your state troops, but...Indiana should have a full representation and in this point of view if no other, I urge your influence in having...[Colonel Anthony's] Regiment ordered to Memphis..."