Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) to Philemon Ewing
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01224 Author/Creator: Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) Place Written: Moscow, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 July 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 24 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Writes about his feud with the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton. Informs that General Henry Halleck advised him not to reply to Stanton. Because of this, Sherman asks Ewing to keep this letter confidential, especially from the newspapers because he believes that, "No Military officer should write of the events of a Campaign until a year after the Campaign." Goes on to say, "I am satisfied Stanton is a Liar and Coward - for he states things by the merest guess." Expects to be sent to Memphis soon. Expresses his philosophy of fighting the South, " ... to subdue the South there must be the same process of extermination as with the original Indians. Not a man woman or child but would shoot us like wild beasts. I don't abate one hour the time and means necessary to subdue the South." Signed "Yr affectionate Brother."
Thomas Ewing, an Ohio Senator and U. S. Secretary of the Treasury, raised Sherman as his own son after Sherman's father died in 1829. Philemon was Thomas Ewing's son and grew up with Sherman.
Moscow Tenn. July 14, 1862
Dear Phil.
I received a dispatch from Genl Halleck this morning on official Matters and he adds a paragraph. "dont answer Stanton" The fact is officers should not write for the papers and it might have been better had I not first written. I am very desirous of Conforming to Hallecks wishes and therefore write to ask you to withhold from publication this answer of mine sent you yesterday. I telegraphed to the Same Effect to day. but there are some parts that Stanton should see and if you can trust any body in Columbus say Judge Swayne, or should Mr. Hunter or your father go up, get them to read the letter to Stanton that he may prefer his changes & ask his const. but dont let the letter be copied or pass out of your hands or those of some person Equally trustworthy with
those I have named.
I should when Govr. Tod. Lars Anderson. Mr L Hummidiur. Charles Goddard. Charles [2] & John Sherman and a few in Lancaster to know of the existance of the Answer till such time as it may be made public - No military officer should write of the Events of a Campaign until a year after the Campaign.
I am satisfied Stanton is a Liar and Coward - for he states things by the merest guess, and he knew I meant to insult him & yet played with the word responsibility. All my Ohio Colonels & officers & soldiers are indignant at him because they take the Same view as I do one of the Colonels Smith of the 54th for whose Regiment he apologised. after the Regt & Col had been highly praised by his Brigadier & myself - wants to go home & whip him. Bushland & Cochrell are very angry with him for coming down & not coming near them. Bushland is a neighbor and has practiced in the same Courts. Cochrell served one term in Congress with him, and they are anxious to pitch in. It might [3] have been better for me to have let them pitch in, but as it has happened, I think there are some points in My Answer that Should reach Stanton. Govr Tod. L'Hummidiur, Anderson & others, that they may see that Even in the new points raised Stanton risked Every thing on mere assertion & guess - You will observe how wide of the truth he is in Grants case. Although he ought to have seen it in the Newspapers. For a time Grant did hold a position Like Beauregard, 2nd in Command ready to Succeed Halleck in case of absence, but when the Crisis was passed he resumed his old Command.
Whilst second in Command his duties were nominal and many soldiers thought him in disgrace. Stanton knowing nothing whatever of the Truth or of Hallecks opinion blurts out the positive assertions - so of the Invitation - he had forgotten it - but there is no doubt
on the point, the witnesses I have named remember the details with great clearness -
my bed was an old Carpet and a blanket-the Same I had in Kentucky which McCook ran me about - my silver & plate [4] which Breckinridge captured was the most miscellaneous assortment of Crockery & tinware you Could Conceive of, and our mess Cook was a very Common nigger who ran at every alarm. Therefore McCook was laughing at my inviting Stanton to Such a dinner, which impressed it on the Memory of those who stood near. - He must be a great rascal & liar thus to trifle with the truth. Halleck objects to any further publication on my part and. it maybe best that the contents should reach him the parties I have named orally, - let no copies get out for they would be used.-
I Expect to be ordered to Memphis Soon. Our wagon trains & foraging trains are all the time attacked & the truth is developing that to subdue the South there must be the same process of extermination as with the original Indians. not a man woman or child but would Shoot us like wild beasts.
I dont abate one [struck: hour] the time and means necessary to Subdue the South.
Yr. affectionate Brother
W.T. Sherman
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