Union general (1831–1888) whose cavalry command blocked Lee’s escape at Appomattox. ALS signed “P. H. Sheridan,” one page both sides, 5 x 6.5, April 10, 1882. Letter to General Opdycke. In full: “I have read your paper on the Final Campaign in Tennessee with great interest. Of course on account of my official & personal relations to the offices conducting the operations, I cannot well make any criticisms on this interesting paper.” Central horizontal fold affecting tops of a couple letters of signature, a uniform shade of mild toning, and a partial separation along hinge of second integral page, otherwise fine condition.
After Emerson Opdycke returned home after the Civil War, he wrote about his war experiences, including an unpublished paper "The Final Campaign in Tennessee, November and December, 1864,” that he may have used for his lectures. The controversy arose over the performance of certain officers during the The Battle of Franklin. He sent his work to Sheridan to review, but the general distanced himself and refused to comment on the grounds that his "official & personal relations to the officers conducting the operations, I cannot well make any criticisms on this interesting paper."
One of the mysteries that surrounded the battle included Opdycke’s disobedience of Wagner's direct order to add his men to the advanced line and hold it. Instead the colonel deliberately marched his troops to a reserve position behind the fortifications. When the Confederates broke Wagner's line, Opdycke’s men charged the rebels and probably saved the Union. He was promoted to major general for his actions at the Battle of Franklin and later achieved the rank of full brigadier general in 1865. After his death from an accidental gun shot wound, his article was discovered among Opdycke's papers. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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