ALS signed “W. T. Sherman,” one page, lightly-lined both sides, 5 x 8, Headquarters Army of the United States letterhead, January 18, 1880. Letter to a gentleman. In part: “I have no copy of that West Point address to which you refer—and am not sure that any copy was kept at West Point. I will however send your letter to Gen’l Schofield…to send you a copy if in existence. I rarely ever prepare for such occasions and trust to the inspiration of the moment, and therefore trust to the newspapers to catch the substance.” In very good condition, with some irregular toning to the first page and an area of dampstaining to second integral page (affecting no writing or the signature); the signed page is crisp and clean. Writing as the commanding general of the US Army, Sherman is likely referring to his address given on June 15, 1869, to the graduating class at West Point. Sherman’s tendency to improvise speeches led to some particularly memorable quotes—just six months before writing this letter, he gave his famous ‘War is Hell’ speech at the Michigan Military Academy. A fascinating letter with excellent West Point association. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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