![SHERMAN, William Tecumseh (1820-1891), Union Army General. Autograph letter signed ("W.T.S.") to Hon. T[homas] Ewing (his foster brother and former law partner), St. Louis, [Missouri], 17 May 1861. 1 full page, 4to, on blue imprinted stationery of the St. Louis R.R. Co., two minute rust spots, otherwise fine.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2005/NYR/2005_NYR_01685_0085_000(110640).jpg?w=1)
細節
SHERMAN, William Tecumseh (1820-1891), Union Army General. Autograph letter signed ("W.T.S.") to Hon. T[homas] Ewing (his foster brother and former law partner), St. Louis, [Missouri], 17 May 1861. 1 full page, 4to, on blue imprinted stationery of the St. Louis R.R. Co., two minute rust spots, otherwise fine.
SHERMAN WAITS TO EMBARK ON HIS "NEW ARMY CARREER," AND DOUBTS WHETHER THE LINCOLN ADMINISTRATION "IS UP TO THE MAGNITUDE OF THE OCCASION"
"IF THE GOVERNMENT WANTS ME, THEY WILL HAVE TO ASK ME." A very fine Sherman letter, written at a critical time in the events which led to full-scale warfare between North and South and at a key turning point in Sherman's own career. After Louisiana's seceeded in mid-January, Sherman resigned his post as superintendent of a small military school in Alexandria, Louisiana (now the Louisiana State University) and journeyed to St Louis with his family. In Washington, he was introduced to the new President, with whom he was not impressed. He returned to St Louis, convinced the Lincoln administration was ill-prepared for the approaching conflict. In April, following the Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter, he declined a desk job in the War Department (see his Memoirs, Library of America edn., p.188).
Here, he vents his frustration in not knowing whether he is to receive a commission, declaring "I have no knowledge whatever that I am to be appointed to the Army. I have made up my mind that if the Govt. wants me they will have to ask me. This does not seem to me to be a time to seek for place. With all the preparations thus far made, the administration is not yet up to the magnitude of the occasion. The entire people of the South are tinctured with the idea that their states are sovereign & superior to the U.S. Even Missouri has taken that position by an almost unanimous vote of her legislature [at the end of February, the Missouri assembly had passed the bill to call a convention to consider the issue of secession and measures to protect the state's sovereignty]. And it will take vast power to cover [garrison] so extensive a country. I think St. Louis is past the worst, and that whatever confusion occurs will be along the Missouri & lines of trade. Should I be offered a proper post in the Army I will make the best disposition of my family."
Unknown to Sherman, back in Washington, with the support of Montgomery Blair, he had been commissioned Colonel of the 13th Infantry (his commission dated only 4 days prior to this letter). Sherman quickly reported to Washington, "took the oath of office, and was furnished with a list of officers, appointed to my regiment...." As Sherman recalled, this marked the start of what he terms "my new army career" (Memoirs, p.103). He would finish the war as a Major General and a reputation as one of the most aggressive and successful field commanders.
SHERMAN WAITS TO EMBARK ON HIS "NEW ARMY CARREER," AND DOUBTS WHETHER THE LINCOLN ADMINISTRATION "IS UP TO THE MAGNITUDE OF THE OCCASION"
"IF THE GOVERNMENT WANTS ME, THEY WILL HAVE TO ASK ME." A very fine Sherman letter, written at a critical time in the events which led to full-scale warfare between North and South and at a key turning point in Sherman's own career. After Louisiana's seceeded in mid-January, Sherman resigned his post as superintendent of a small military school in Alexandria, Louisiana (now the Louisiana State University) and journeyed to St Louis with his family. In Washington, he was introduced to the new President, with whom he was not impressed. He returned to St Louis, convinced the Lincoln administration was ill-prepared for the approaching conflict. In April, following the Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter, he declined a desk job in the War Department (see his Memoirs, Library of America edn., p.188).
Here, he vents his frustration in not knowing whether he is to receive a commission, declaring "I have no knowledge whatever that I am to be appointed to the Army. I have made up my mind that if the Govt. wants me they will have to ask me. This does not seem to me to be a time to seek for place. With all the preparations thus far made, the administration is not yet up to the magnitude of the occasion. The entire people of the South are tinctured with the idea that their states are sovereign & superior to the U.S. Even Missouri has taken that position by an almost unanimous vote of her legislature [at the end of February, the Missouri assembly had passed the bill to call a convention to consider the issue of secession and measures to protect the state's sovereignty]. And it will take vast power to cover [garrison] so extensive a country. I think St. Louis is past the worst, and that whatever confusion occurs will be along the Missouri & lines of trade. Should I be offered a proper post in the Army I will make the best disposition of my family."
Unknown to Sherman, back in Washington, with the support of Montgomery Blair, he had been commissioned Colonel of the 13th Infantry (his commission dated only 4 days prior to this letter). Sherman quickly reported to Washington, "took the oath of office, and was furnished with a list of officers, appointed to my regiment...." As Sherman recalled, this marked the start of what he terms "my new army career" (Memoirs, p.103). He would finish the war as a Major General and a reputation as one of the most aggressive and successful field commanders.