ALS signed “W. T. Sherman,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.5 x 8.5, personal letterhead, January 10, 1886. Letter to Admiral Daniel Ammen. In part: “I reciprocate to an old Shipmate the kindly greetings of this season of the year, the more so as Silas Rush is my neighbor and I took him and his daughter Lucy, last night along with others to see Billy Florence in Captain Cuttle, a sample of the Old Sea Captain before Steam played the devil with the Navy and the world…Yesterday my youngest boy–was 18 years old. He is 6 feet tall and begins to show side whiskers and recently he announced that he would like to go to Yale College for two years –Of course I want him in my life to have the advantage of the best college in our country, as on him must soon devolve the care of the family. I know that his mother will insist on being near him in these two years and this will leave this large house with 6 servants–5 horses 7 carriages &c &c too expensive for my means so that I have said in this event we had better break up here and board at the 5th Avenue Hotel New York.
I never contemplated returning to Washington. I recognize all its advantages, its cleanliness, its beauty, the attractions of its society & suburbs but as an ex-commander-in chief of the Army I could not endure the place–of course I have great love and respect for Porter [probably Admiral David Dixon Porter], but I have not his nerve to stand the neglect of his legal superiors-better a Camp on the Missouri than a palace on the Potomac. In War, the Army and Navy are glorious–in peace they are subject to the meanest class of people in our great Country. The President, Congress & Supreme Court are all right–but the Cabinet–well I reserve my opinion–I have absolute faith in the outcome of our Country, but care not to mingle with the incidents…” Letter is housed in a custom-made grey cloth covered four-flap folder, lettered in gilt on a green label on the spine: “William Tecumseh Sherman ALS January 10, 1886 to Daniel Ammen.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Sherman’s hand.
A brilliant general who, despite his propensity for warfare and leadership, heralded by military historian B. H. Liddell as the ‘first modern general,’ Sherman was staunchly averse to political involvement. He furthers this sentiment by confessing, “In War, the Army and Navy are glorious – in peace they are subject to the meanest class of people in our great Country…I have absolute faith in the outcome of our Country, but care not to mingle with the incidents.” This letter was written two years after two poignant events, both occurring in 1884: his retirement from the military, and his refusal to accept the Republican candidacy for the presidential election, being the obvious choice as the second most powerful general behind Grant in the Civil War.
Sherman could fathom no greater evil than the consequence of politics, a force he firmly believed was to blame for the Civil War. His years of exposure to warfare, death and bloodshed soured his outlook on the business of battle entirely, as he sought a life away from the epicenter of such things: “I never contemplated returning to Washington. I recognize all its advantages, its cleanliness, its beauty, the attractions of its society & suburbs but as an ex-commander-in chief of the Army I could not endure the place.” When it came to the world of politics, Sherman respectfully bowed out, turning his attention towards publishing his memoirs and spending time with his family. At the time of this letter, he was seeing his youngest son, Philemon Tecumseh Sherman, off to Yale University, where he would begin his studies in the field of law. This account provides an introspective look at the mental yielding of a famed general after nearly a lifetime in the war he felt was fueled by politics. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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