Mar 31, 2001, The B. H. Manuscript/Collectible/Philatelic Sale, Sale 9
Lot 543
Sherman, William
Tecumseh (1820-1891). Civil War general, his March to the Sea is
regarded as the first modern use of "total war."
Autograph Letter
Signed ("W. T. Sherman"). As Commanding General of the Army. Four
pages, octavo, Washington D.C., April 27, 1876. On "Headquarters Army of
the United States / St. Louis" stationery. Sherman has lined through St.
Louis and written "Washington D.C." To Joseph Audenreid (one of
Sherman's key aides). Two horizontal mailing folds, with some toning at the
folds on page four. In fine to very fine condition.
With
extraordinary content, this letter is mostly political, but with an
interesting personal note -- after Audenreid's death in 1880, Sherman began
a long term love affair with his wife, Mary Audenreid. Numerous other
significant military and political personages are named, as in the extended
excerpt below: "...Everything is working smoothly. The new secretary
(Secretary of War Alphonso Taft, who only served in that capacity until May
1876, at which point he was named Attorney General) is slowly getting
his hand in and I have no doubt all our offices can be made to work
smoothly. As I left the office yesterday with McCook (Alexander
McDowell McCook, Union General and aide de camp for Sherman 1875-1880)
we met Belknap (William Worth Belknap, impeached for malfeasance in
1876) walking with Montgomery Blair (Postmaster General under
Lincoln and Counsel for Samuel J. Tilden) on the pavement in front of
the President's house. We mutually saluted but did not stop. This is the
only time I have seen him out (presumably Belknap). I am told he
begins to feel like an honest man...but he must feel the humiliation of his
situation. The telegraph will keep you advised of all things here, as fast
as we learn them. Indeed, we read our news of Washington in the New york
papers, received here about 2 PM. Give my best love to Mrs. Audenreid and I
hope we will meet in health very soon...Yours truly, W.T. Sherman."
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
Lot 544
Thomas, Lorenzo
(1804-1875). Civil War general named Adjutant-General and later
Brigadier General during the war.
Manuscript Signed ("L. Thomas").
One page, quarto, Washington, November 13, 1861. In black ink. Accompanied
by a U.S. Military Telegraph form to Brigadier General J. W. Denver
docketed by Denver, as well as an Autographed Letter Signed by Thomas to
Denver with its original transmittal envelope. The group is in fine
condition overall.
In this document, Thomas assigns one Brigadier
General Denver to his new position: "J. W. Denver ... is assigned to
duty in the Department of Kansas, and will, without delay, proceed to Fort
Leavenwoth, and report to the commanding officer. By command of Maj. Gen.
McClellan".
Estimated Value $100-125.
Lot 545
Waul, Thomas
(1813-1903) After recruiting Waul's Texas Legion in 1862, Waul was
promoted to Brigadier General in 1863 and wounded in 1864 while repulsing
Steele's invasion of Texas. Elected to the first Texas Constitutional
Convention after the War, Waul continued to practice law in Texas until
well into his seventies.
Autograph Letter Signed ("Thomas
Waul"). Three pages, quarto, Galveston, April 16, 1891. To James L.
Fleming. Adhesive residue at left edges, mailing folds, creasing at bottom
right corner of the first page and assorted light pencil underlines. Very
good condition.
A letter written to the chairman of a meeting of the
Committee of Confederate Survivors Association, with heartfelt tribute
to Wade Hampton, who was to receive a Special Honor at the meeting.
The depth of feeling in the letter's rhetoric would make for a stirring
read before the assembled meeting, which is likely Waul's intent: "...to
honor the gallant soldier, the noble patriot, the lofty Gentleman, whom it
is my good fortune to have known from our boyhood... When South Carolina,
in her dark hour called her sons around her to battle for her rights Wade
Hampton was among the first to respond to her summons...When all was over,
on his return to his native Carolina, he found it torn asunder by internal
strife, his race in a minority...then it was that Wade Hampton rose to his
full stature like Peter the Hermit he went forth on his grand mission to
rescue his State...It was a grand effort and rendered in her darkest hour a
service that could not be repaid and should not be ignored..." One of
the lesser known Confederate generals praises one of the most famous.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Lot 546
Westmoreland, William
(b. 1914). American general who directed the war in Vietnam.
Typed Letter Signed ("WC Westmoreland"). One page, quarto,
n.p., November 19, 1968. On United States Army / The Chief of Staff
stationery. To Mr. James O. Dunning. Fine condition.
In reply to an
autograph request, General Westmoreland writes "I regret that it is not
possible to send you an autographed sheet of stationery as you
requested..."
Estimated Value $100-UP.
Lot 547
Dewey, George, Mark W.
Clark, and Stephen C. Rowan. 1.Dewey, George. Typed Letter
Signed ("George Dewey"). One page, quarto, Washington, February 27,
1913. On "Office of the Admiral of the Navy" stationery. In black ink. To
John A. Stewart, Chairman Executive Committee. With two horizontal folds
and light toning. 2. Clark, Mark W. Typed Letter Signed ("Mark W.
Clark"). One page, quarto, Charleston, South Carolina, June 16, 1976.
On "The Citadel" stationery. In blue ink. One vertical and two horizontal
folds, a few small folds in the left margins. 3. Rowan, Stephen C.
Autograph Letter Signed ("SC Rowan"). One page, octavo, n.p., n.d.
In black ink. With two horizontal folds, a small tear at the lower right
edge, and light staining. Overall, the group is in good to very good
condition.
For the military enthusiast, we offer a sampling of
documents from a Civil War Admiral, a Spanish-American War General, and a
World War II General.
Estimated Value $350-500.