Sale 288


 
Lot 5

Sherman, William Tecumseh, 1820-1891, Union general; took part in the capture of Vicksburg; made famous "March to the Sea" through Atlanta, Savannah, and The Carolinas; received surrender of Johnston’s army.

Autograph Manuscript, signed in text, one page, 8vo., March 8, 1872. With a sketch of a map of Vicksburg, in pencil.

Sherman has drawn a map of the plan of attack on Vicksburg, with explanatory notes regarding strategic positions: "AB river Mississippi/ CD point where it was attempted by canal to direct the river from the town/ E and F positions of the attacking army as they advanced before invading the town/ G point where Admiral Porters gun boats became blocked in by Southerners and were relieved by Sherman." At the top, in a larger hand, which also appears to be Sherman’s, is written "Plan of the attack of Vicksburg drawn by Genl. Sherman…Malta, March 8th/ 72"

Mounted on a card with manuscript inscription "Found among General (…) Porter’s papers by his son in law C.R. Crosse, 1 June 1912", Very Fine.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500

The Vicksburg Campaign was essentially the Union’s strategic penetration of the south down the Mississippi River, and in this map with its notes, Sherman documents some points of attack: Admiral Porter with 11 vessels pushed his way through the heavily obstructed waterways while Sherman followed with foot troops. The Confederates, however, stopped the boats at Rolling Fork and almost succeeded in bottling up and destroying Porter’s fleet. Word of Porter’s situation reached Sherman late in the day. Undertaking a daring night march, lighted by candles stuck in their rifle barrels, Sherman’s men arrived in time to save Porter [Boatner,
The Civil War Dictionary].

 
Realized $4,000



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