Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891 to David D. Porter

Autograph endorsement signed of Sherman to Porter on a letter of Lewis Wolfery, a resident of Louisville, Kentucky to Sherman dated 23 November 1865. Wolfery writes to General Sherman to inform him that, on the recommendation of Copperhead Representative Burwell Ritter, James Wheeler, a former Confederate guerrilla who was tried as a spy, had been appointed to Annapolis Naval Academy over "two true Union boys," Tommy David Jackson and James Gore. Wolfery claims that Wheeler was, " ... a rebel soldier, one of the meanest types that while belonging to the army was back in the State, committing all sorts of depridations, ... " He appeals to Sherman's "love of justice" and gives the names of individuals in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, who can verify the facts. Sherman's note on verso is to Porter as the Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy 1865-1869. Sherman says he knows the writer, whom he calls reliable, in case Porter want to approach the Secretary of the Navy about the matter. He recommends David Jackson fully, saying, "If Genl Jim Jackson's son wants any favor of the U.S. Govt he should have it. for his father was the most enthusiastic Union man in Kentucky ... and was killed at Perryville as a Genl."