Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) to Frederick Schuckhardt
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08895.02 Author/Creator: Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 April 1865 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25.1 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy
General Sherman replies to a previous letter from Schuckhardt. Discusses assisting their mutual friend Joseph Grafton with recovering the body of his brother Captain James Ingersoll Grafton, who was killed the previous month in the Battle of Averasborough. Relates he will ensure that Grafton's grave is properly marked, and he will assist in bringing the body back to the Grafton family's home area. Writes "I think the War is nearly if not quite over." States that he has been negotiating with General Joseph E. Johnston, and the results of this negotiation will be presented to the President for ratification as "the Basis of an absolute cessation of hostilities...from the Potomac to the Rio Grande." Writes that Grafton "sacrificed his life that he & I and our children may enjoy a Constitutional Govt." Discusses Gibbard, another mutual acquaintance. Mentions fond memories of serving as Schuckhardt's correspondent at Lucas Turner & Co. Written on Headquarters, Military Division of the Mississippi stationery.
In 1853, Sherman established a branch of the Lucas, Turner, & Co. Bank in San Francisco.
Headquarters, Military Division of the Mississippi,
In the Field, April 20 1865
Fredk Schuckhardt
Nassau St NY.
My Dear Sir.
Your letter of April 3 is received. I will do anything in my power to serve your friend & mine Joseph Grafton in the matter of the body of his Brother Capt Grafton who was killed at the Cross Road near Averasboro last month. I remember him well at that fight and especially as he passed me in the streets of Fayetteville a few days before his death. I will make it my business to enquire of the officers of the 20'h Corps to assure me that his grave is properly marked of which I think I may now assure [2] you. The 20th Corps. remained at that place a whole day after the fight and I know that every body was properly buried and the graves marked.
It will now at this time be impracticable for the family to disenter the body and convey it home because the only way by which the spot can be reached is by Raleigh, and our Railroad track to Morehead City and Newburn is so taxed that I cannot promise a passage over it of a single person. But I will promise to have all things so arranged that next winter his family may send and have the body brought to the home of his fathers.
I think the War is nearly if not quite over. Genl Johnston & I have [3] agreed upon a few points which when Rectified by the President will be the Basis of an absolute Cessation of hostilities and Peace from the Potomac to the Rio Grande.
Please say to Mr. Grafton whose brother I knew well at West Point, that when the care of the living Army now here is off my hands I will gladly aid him to move the remains of his brave & Gallant Brother who has sacrificed his life that he & I and our Children may enjoy a Constitutional Govt.
I am pained to hear that young Gibbard, who seemed so necessary to your business is in failing health. Will you be kind enough to assure him of my affectionate remembrances, and especially of the handsome dinner [4] he gave me at the New York Club. I assure you that I cherish much the remembrance of our most agreable relation when I was your Correspondent at Lucas Turner & Co., and I hope that you never had occasion to regret the acquaintance thus begun.
With great respect
your friend,
W. T. Sherman
Majr Genl.
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