Details
SHERMAN, William T. (1820-1891), Union General. Autograph letter signed ("W. T. Sherman") to Mary Audenreid, St. Louis, 25 May 1884. 4 pages, 8vo.
"BEHOLD THE WRECKS!" SHERMAN SHUDDERS AT THE EXAMPLE OF GRANT'S BUSINESS FAILURE AND BANKRUPTCY. A rambling letter to Mrs. Audenreid, a widow for whom Sherman long carried a torch. He comments on Grant's failures and memories of the War: "...Since the failures of Grant, Scurry and Eno--all my personal friends--I have had abundant reason to congratulate myself that I have heretofore resisted all appeals to embark in some grand business, to give occupation. Behold the wrecks! and I am now anchored in a safe harbor, owing no man a cent, with a reasonable income, and all the friends I want..." He realizes that "I am just where I was when the war broke out in 1861, thus closing the circle of life and waiting for the last move to Calvary Cemetery. I can look back on the history of the past 23 years of stirring events with composure and satisfaction, calling up in memory many happy as well as sad events, in many of which you and your husband were bright features. I prefer to think of him as a handsome, gallant, knightly, faithful son and you as a sweet child. I prefer to cherish these memories and not to think of him or you otherwise..." Sherman retired from the army in 1884, and enjoyed six more years of vigorous life. Grant, with just a year to live, waged a desperate against painful throat cancer, to finish his Memoirs and recoup his family finances.
"BEHOLD THE WRECKS!" SHERMAN SHUDDERS AT THE EXAMPLE OF GRANT'S BUSINESS FAILURE AND BANKRUPTCY. A rambling letter to Mrs. Audenreid, a widow for whom Sherman long carried a torch. He comments on Grant's failures and memories of the War: "...Since the failures of Grant, Scurry and Eno--all my personal friends--I have had abundant reason to congratulate myself that I have heretofore resisted all appeals to embark in some grand business, to give occupation. Behold the wrecks! and I am now anchored in a safe harbor, owing no man a cent, with a reasonable income, and all the friends I want..." He realizes that "I am just where I was when the war broke out in 1861, thus closing the circle of life and waiting for the last move to Calvary Cemetery. I can look back on the history of the past 23 years of stirring events with composure and satisfaction, calling up in memory many happy as well as sad events, in many of which you and your husband were bright features. I prefer to think of him as a handsome, gallant, knightly, faithful son and you as a sweet child. I prefer to cherish these memories and not to think of him or you otherwise..." Sherman retired from the army in 1884, and enjoyed six more years of vigorous life. Grant, with just a year to live, waged a desperate against painful throat cancer, to finish his Memoirs and recoup his family finances.