Lot 345

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Description:

William T. Sherman ALS "the President will not attend on some theory that his office will be insulted..."

2pp of a bifolium, measuring 5.5" x 9.25", Lake George, New York, dated July 23, 1887. Signed "W.T. Sherman" and addressed to fellow ex-Union general John C. Robinson, regarding an invitation to the Annual G.A.R. meeting. The letter reads in part: "…Of course I cannot come to Binghamton. Every day & hour is parceled out. I will be at Detroit Sept 10-11-12, and I will be most happy to welcome you and any comrades at the Annual Meeting of the Army of the Tennessee of which I am President. Thence I go to St. Louis where I have some business, and for the Grand Encampment of the Army of the Republic which the President will not attend on some theory that his office will be insulted. I thank you and Mrs. Robinson for your kind tender of hospitality but it is simply impossible for me to be with you on this occasion." With flattened folds and light edge toning. Small separations starting at fold edges.

William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891) finally retired from the army in February 1884. The famed Civil War general then went on to devote his time to the arts, focusing on theater and painting, and he also toured the country as a speaker at dinners and banquets. Sherman also kept in touch with many veterans, and joined the Society of the Army of the Tennessee (organized in 1865) and was elected president in 1869.

John C. Robinson (1817-1897) was a fellow Union general and served two terms as the president of the Grand Army of the Republic after the war, from 1877-1879. The "insult" to the President that Sherman mentions is likely in reference to hostilities that had arisen between Grover Cleveland and the Grand Army of the Republic. The G.A.R. had put pressure upon Congress to pass a bill that would grant pensions for disabilities caused by non-military service, but Cleveland had vetoed it. This wasn't the first time the two had clashed, as Cleveland was already mistrusted for not having served in the Civil War and he had considered a recent proposal that would return Confederate battle flags to their states. Cleveland had initially accepted the invitation to the G.A.R.'s annual encampment meeting in St. Louis, but rescinded his acceptance after receiving strong hints that his presence would not be welcome.

The letter is a fantastic piece of history, showcasing how even 20+ years removed from the Civil War, tensions within the country were still high and had to be navigated with caution.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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