A group of nine Civil War histories and related books from the personal library of General William Tecumseh Sherman, some inscribed, all with W.T. Sherman and P. Tecumseh Sherman bookplates (except where noted), including:

Edward Bruce Hamley. The Operations of War Explained and Illustrated. Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1866. 8vo. Original red cloth. First edition. INSCRIBED BY AUTHOR TO SHERMAN: "To Major General W.T. Sherman U.S. Army, with the best regards of his friend Benj. Moran London, 13 July 1866." With cancelled "Headquarters of the Army" bookplate and "Headquarter Military Division of the Missouri" unused letterhead, dated 1866. -- William Swinton. Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac. New York: Charles B. Richardson, 1866. 8vo. Original brown cloth. First edition. Eicher 1030: "an important early work that, among other things, contains the first dissension between Lee and Longstreet at Gettysburg." With Signed "Chillingworth's Improved Trowel and Triangular Bayonets" cabinet card of models. -- James E. Murdoch. Patriotism in Poetry and Prose. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1866. Original dark brown cloth. -- Edward McPherson. The Political HIstory of the United States of America, During the Great Rebellion. Washington, D.C.: James J. Chapman, 1882. 8vo. Original green cloth. Fourth Edition. Howes M-180; Sabin 43629. -- James B. Fry. Operations of the Army Under Buell. New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1884. 8vo. Original red cloth. First edition. (See Lot 105 for ways in which General Sherman used and referenced this work in a published dispute with the author James B. Fry.) -- Records of the Living Officers of the United States Army. Philadelphia: L.R. Hamersly & Co., 1884. 8vo, original maroon cloth. "Read Jany, 11th 1884" in pencil to front free endpaper, does not appear to be in the hand of General Sherman, possibly that of P. Tecumseh Sherman. -- William G. Queal. The Overthrow of American Slavery. New York and Cincinnati: Phillips & Hunt and Cranston & Stowe, 1885. 8vo. Illustrated red brick cloth. First edition. -- Battles and Leaders of the Civil War. New York: The Century Co., 1887. 4 volumes. 4to. Original brown cloth gilt. -- S.H.M. Byers. Iowa in War Times. Des Moines, Iowa: W.D. Condit & Co., 1888. 8vo. Full calf. First edition. INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR: "To General W. T. Sherman with sincere regards of D.H.W. Byers. Oskaloosa, Iowa, May 88".

A wonderful selection of books relevant to the life and career of General Sherman from his personal library. Of particular note is the copy of Operations of the Army Under Buell by James B. Fry. In a published feud with Fry, (see Lot 105), Sherman quotes Operations, likely from this very copy.

Condition: varies, complete condition report available upon request.

PROVENANCE:

The Sherman-Fitch Library

Primarily assembled by General William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891), the collection of books was inherited and curated by his son, Philemon Tecumseh Sherman (1867-1941). Before his death, Philemon transferred the library to his niece, Eleanor Sherman Fitch (1876-1959). Eleanor was the granddaughter of General Sherman through his eldest daughter, Maria "Minnie" Ewing Sherman Fitch (1851-1913). Until now, the Sherman-Fitch library was held at the family estate in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

The library includes a range of diverse material owned by General Sherman that principally relates to the Civil War, American history, and the Sherman family. Many works in the Sherman-Fitch library are historically significant, including General Sherman's annotated copy of Ulysses S. Grant's memoirs, the Sherman family bible, and Barnard's "Photographic Views of Sherman's Campaign."

Most examples in the collection are affixed with bookplates that bear both General Sherman's and Philemon's names. In some cases, where General Sherman's ownership was clear, his bookplate was not always affixed. However, books with just Philemon's bookplate were generally acquired after his father's death in 1891. General Sherman’s bookplates were likely added by Philemon after his father’s death. Philemon’s bookplates were placed by Tecumseh Sherman Fitch (1908-1969) after he inherited the library in 1942.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Politics, Generals, Books, Ephemera]