ALS signed “Sherman,” three pages, lightly-lined on two adjoining sheets, 8 x 9.75, May 1, 1850. Letter to Lieutenant E. C. Ord. In part: “We have hoped till now that you might be present at the wedding (now near at hand) but the rect of yr letter of the 13th forbids all hope. H Brown, Harder, Carter of the Navy & Tom Ewing are my assistants, and a pretty, perky young miss has been in waiting…I will be married in just seven hours from this time, and had no time for thought or reflection…With this I leave a Signet ring [not present] which I had engraved for you and had hoped to achieve in person, but from that we shall pass each other and meet again long hence if ever. I shall go west via New York, Buffalo, & Sandusky and would now write to you to try and meet me, could I have any certainty in my letter finding you, but I’ll trust to fate to meet you somewhere before you depart for the west…Let me assure you of the friendship I entertain for you and assure you that all who are dear to me shall know of you and shall honor you to the extent of their power. I have not resolved upon any thing definite for myself…I have too many poor relations and too soft a heart to refuse them when they need what I possess already am I nearly stripped of my small pile, and must begin married life with the old song of Economy…again let me ask you to write me of your movements and accept the renewed assurances of my warmest esteem & friendship. Tell me how you like the ring, it is a symbol, not a measure of my respect.” Reverse of second integral page is addressed by Sherman to Ord, “3rd Artillery, Washington, D. C.” Letter is housed in a custom-made green cloth covered four-flap folder. In very good to fine condition, with intersecting mailing folds, a few separations along folds, some light soiling, scattered toning, and light show-through from writing on opposite sides, otherwise fine condition. Born in 1820 in Lancaster, Ohio, Sherman’s father died when he was nine-years-old. Now widowed and unable to care for the entire family, his mother sent William to be raised by his father’s friend, Thomas Ewing. William Tecumseh Sherman and Ellen Ewing, Ewing’s daughter, were married from May 1, 1850, until Mrs. Sherman’s death on November 28, 1888, at their home in New York City. At the time of their marriage, Thomas Ewing was serving as the first secretary of the interior, having been appointed to the newly created cabinet post by President Zachary Taylor on March 8, 1849. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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