Famed Union general (1820–1891) best known for his devastating campaigns in the deep South, including the ‘March to the Sea,’ that led to the capture of Atlanta and Savannah and proved to be one of the turning points of the Civil War. War-dated ALS signed “W. T. Sherman, Maj Genl,” one page, lightly-lined, 7.75 x 9.75, Headquarters, Military Division of the Mississippi letterhead, October 29, 1864. Letter to Colonel Isaac F. Shepard. In full: “I regret exceedingly that you were not promoted and confirmed as appointed. As the Govr seemed to lay great stress on the Negro troops I thought it would be grand to have one like yourself. Enthusiastic in the Cause. As to trading across lines, it is simply impossible. We cannot count on bread & meat, much less recruiting. I must now prohibit all trade as impracticable. Wishing you all kind of good luck, and advising you to try the service again, assuring you it is not half over yet.” Replaced top upper blank of page and last word of letterhead, and some scattered light wrinkling, otherwise fine condition.
Sherman, head of the Military Division of the Mississippi, was in the midst of his 1864 march through Georgia as he wrote to Colonel Shepard about his command of the African Brigade which had won high praise for their bravery at The Battle of Milliken's Bend during the Vicksburg Campaign despite their lack of training and supplies. The colonel's arrest stemmed from an 1863 incident in which he had a white soldier whipped by blacks for "acts of wantonness against the negroes and their families." Unable to find a commander officer to take action against the offending soldier, Shepard had ordered the culprit tied to a tree; sentenced to a brief "light" flogging, an infraction of existing law that forbade whipping as punishment. General Thomas brought the incident to Secretary of War Stanton’s attention and Shepard was passed over for promotion. The colonel requested a court of inquiry regarding his actions in which the court determined there was no cause for censure. Grant dismissed the case, returning the colonel to duty, but the incident cost him the appointment. Learning the facts of the case, Thomas recommended the promotion to brigadier general be reconsidered, but it failed to win Senate approval and Shepard's commission expired on July 4, 1864 to which Sherman responded, "I regret exceedingly that you were not promoted and confirmed as appointed." Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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