Memoirs of General William T. Sherman.

SHERMAN, William T.

$1,600.00

Item Number: 145721

New York: Charles L. Webster & Co, 1891.

Early edition of this memoir from one of the most well regarded generals, “oft-consulted and much-quoted reminiscences … Sherman wrote as he fought; dynamically and bluntly” (Nevins II, 89). Octavo, 2 volumes, original cloth, tissue-guarded frontispiece portrait of William T. Sherman, illustrated with folding maps in each volume, his son Philemon Tecumseh Sherman’s bookplate to the front pastedown of each volume. In near fine condition with light rubbing to the exterior, splitting to the interior front hinge of both volumes. Philemon Tecumseh Sherman transferred his library to his niece, Eleanor Sherman Fitch, before he died. Eleanor was the granddaughter of General Sherman through his eldest daughter, Maria “Minnie” Ewing Sherman Fitch. Until now, the books were held at the family estate in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

"Penned with intelligence and passion, [Sherman's Memoirs] cover the periods of birth to the Meridian Expedition early in 1864 (Volume I) and the remainder of the war to the commander's first decade following the war (Volume II)… The memoirs frankly describe the rights and wrongs of the Civil War campaigns Sherman experienced, without regard to stepping on the feelings of others. The work is not unduly harsh, but is unwaveringly honest (as the author viewed these events)… The writing in this work is enjoyable, more so than the average soldier's memoirs, and the enlightened opinions of the second-ranking Federal officer on a multitude of operations make the work invaluable" (Eicher 576).