![[CIVIL WAR]. SHERMAN, William T. 2 Autograph letters signed ("W.T. Sherman") to General Henry W. Slocum, St. Louis, MO, 22 August and 7 September 1865. Together 4½ pages, 4to and 8vo, Headquarters Military Division of the Mississippi stationery, letter of 22 August with slight separation of horizontal fold.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2003/NYR/2003_NYR_01246_0062_000(061243).jpg?w=1)
Property of a Descendant of Henry Warner Slocum
THE SHERMAN-SLOCUM CORRESPONDENCE
Henry Warner Slocum (1826-1894), who enlisted at the outset of the Civil War as Colonel of the 27th New York Infantry, emerged as one of the Union's most consistent and trustworthy officers, a reputation which earned him a promotion to Major General by War's end. A West Point cadet of the class of 1852, Slocum quickly concluded that civil life offered greater opportunities than army life, and resigned his commission to practice law. The onset of civil war brought him back to the ranks, however, and he participated in many of the most decisive battles of the war including Antietam and Chancellorsville. At Gettysburg, Slocum, now commander of the XII Corps, was given command over the entire right wing of the Union Army and his decisions helped assure the eventual victory. In 1864, he was given command of the XX Corps in the army of William T. Sherman. Slocum performed well during Sherman's Atlanta Campaign and was rewarded with command of Sherman's left wing during the March to the Sea and in the Carolinas. Sherman and Slocum established a close relationship during these campaigns. The following 6 lots, a selection of letters sent by Sherman to Slocum during the post-war years, reflect their warmth and comraderie.
[CIVIL WAR]. SHERMAN, William T. 2 Autograph letters signed ("W.T. Sherman") to General Henry W. Slocum, St. Louis, MO, 22 August and 7 September 1865. Together 4½ pages, 4to and 8vo, Headquarters Military Division of the Mississippi stationery, letter of 22 August with slight separation of horizontal fold.
细节
[CIVIL WAR]. SHERMAN, William T. 2 Autograph letters signed ("W.T. Sherman") to General Henry W. Slocum, St. Louis, MO, 22 August and 7 September 1865. Together 4½ pages, 4to and 8vo, Headquarters Military Division of the Mississippi stationery, letter of 22 August with slight separation of horizontal fold.
SHERMAN PREDICTS A QUICK END TO RECONSTRUCTION: "THE NORTH CANNOT LONG AFFORD TO KEEP ARMS THERE FOR LOCAL POLICE"
While his friend Slocum remained in command of Union troops in the South after the war's close, Sherman returned to his home in St. Louis where he monitored the course of Reconstruction. Three months after accepting General Joseph Johnston's surrender in North Carolina, Sherman assures Slocum that he will do what he can to make life easier for him: "Being in St. Louis...it may be that I could be of service to you. Even in purchasing such articles as you need...I don't know that Mrs. Slocum is with you. If not, and she propose to join you this fall, let her come to see me and I will see that she has attention and escort down the River."
Two weeks later, Sherman approves recent actions that Slocum has taken and offers his thoughts on the course of Reconstruction: "I have read all your orders and of course approve beforehand, as you on the spot are the competent judge. Sooner or later the people south must resume the management of their own affairs...for the North cannot long afford to keep arms there for local police." Sherman reassures Slocum that he must use force when necessary: "Still, as long as you do have the force and the State now you must of necessity control." He expresses the belief that the South will ultimately see that accommodation would be the wisest course: "My own opinion is that self interest will soon induce the present People of Mississippi to...manage in a kind of [system] that will, like in Maryland & Missouri, change the whole public opinion. They certainly will not again tempt the resistance of the U.S. nor will they soon reenslave the negro. The only question is when will the change occur" Realizing that opportunity in the post-war army will be limited, Sherman advises his friend to seek another career: "if you see your way ahead in civil life it is to your permanent interest to resign. It doesn't make much difference when. You have all the military fame you can expect in this epoch. All know your work and appreciate, and I would not submit to the scrambling for position of next winter if I were in your place unless you have resolved to stay in for life." (2)
SHERMAN PREDICTS A QUICK END TO RECONSTRUCTION: "THE NORTH CANNOT LONG AFFORD TO KEEP ARMS THERE FOR LOCAL POLICE"
While his friend Slocum remained in command of Union troops in the South after the war's close, Sherman returned to his home in St. Louis where he monitored the course of Reconstruction. Three months after accepting General Joseph Johnston's surrender in North Carolina, Sherman assures Slocum that he will do what he can to make life easier for him: "Being in St. Louis...it may be that I could be of service to you. Even in purchasing such articles as you need...I don't know that Mrs. Slocum is with you. If not, and she propose to join you this fall, let her come to see me and I will see that she has attention and escort down the River."
Two weeks later, Sherman approves recent actions that Slocum has taken and offers his thoughts on the course of Reconstruction: "I have read all your orders and of course approve beforehand, as you on the spot are the competent judge. Sooner or later the people south must resume the management of their own affairs...for the North cannot long afford to keep arms there for local police." Sherman reassures Slocum that he must use force when necessary: "Still, as long as you do have the force and the State now you must of necessity control." He expresses the belief that the South will ultimately see that accommodation would be the wisest course: "My own opinion is that self interest will soon induce the present People of Mississippi to...manage in a kind of [system] that will, like in Maryland & Missouri, change the whole public opinion. They certainly will not again tempt the resistance of the U.S. nor will they soon reenslave the negro. The only question is when will the change occur" Realizing that opportunity in the post-war army will be limited, Sherman advises his friend to seek another career: "if you see your way ahead in civil life it is to your permanent interest to resign. It doesn't make much difference when. You have all the military fame you can expect in this epoch. All know your work and appreciate, and I would not submit to the scrambling for position of next winter if I were in your place unless you have resolved to stay in for life." (2)