A group of 5 military-related books from the personal library of General William Tecumseh Sherman, one inscribed by General Sherman himself. Each with "W.T. Sherman" and "P. Tecumseh Sherman" bookplates.

Highlighted by a volume INSCRIBED BY GENERAL SHERMAN: Rev. A.S. Gardiner. Tom Quick, Or The Foundation and the Capstone. Pioneer Enterprise and National Independence. Chicago: Knight & Leonard Co., 1889. 12mo. Original brown cloth gilt. INSCRIBED BY THE GENERAL: "Gifford Pinchot's address on Pages 38-45 - read March 7, 1890 W.T. Sherman General".

Here, the General has drawn specific attention to a speech delivered by Gifford Pinchot (1865-1946), whose parents, James and Mary Pinchot, were close family friends with William T. Sherman (c.f. Char Miller. Gifford Pinchot and the Making of Modern Environmentalism. 2001. pp. 53, 66, 93, 96, 98). Gifford would go on to become the first head of the United States Forest Service and the 28th Governor of Pennsylvania (1931-1935). This 1889 speech, however, was given in the very early stages of his career in his hometown of Milford, Pennsylvania commemorating the second centennial of the Republic. The local paper noted reported on the "Dual Celebration", as an event that was held to "commemorate the second centennial of the Republic by planting a Liberty Pole, unfurling a handsome banner to the breeze and drawing inspiration from the event. And to further honor the memory of Tom Quick and his father, historic characters of border life, the son known as the "Indian Slayer" and the first white child born on the site of Milford." The article includes an extensive description of the day's events including "when Gifford Pinchot, Esq., son of Mr. James W. Pinshot of Gray Towers" took the stage. "His address, short, perspicuous and delivered in clear tones, was received with enthusiasm. The oration was a most commendable one and elicited general approbation." (Pike County Dispatch. Milford, Pennsylvania, 29 August 1889, p. 3). Sherman, a friend of the family, seemed to take a noted interest in the career of the young Pinchot, his biographer quotes his father James: "'Even Genl. Sherman at his table last evening said Gifford would have a great deal to do in the near future.'" (Miller, p. 93). Shortly before his death, Sherman advised the young Pinchot to "get to know the United States" before he embarked on a tour of the western United States in 1891. (Miller, p. 98). The inscribed tome here is evidence of the great esteem that Sherman held for the young man.

(Added 4/10/24) Edward Bruce Hamley. The Operations of War Explained and Illustrated. Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1869. 4to. Contemporary red three-quarter morocco gilt, spine in six compartments, 2 gilt-lettered. INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR TO GENERAL SHERMAN to front free endpaper: "To General W.T. Sherman / United States Army / With the Compliments of / the Author." W.T. Sherman bookplate affixed below. Albumen portrait of the author affixed to opposite page INSCRIBED BY GENERAL SHERMAN: "E.B. Hamley / Colonel."

Emory Upton. The Armies of Asia and Europe: Embracing Official Reports on the Armies of Japan, China, India, Persia, Italy, Russia, Austria, Germany, France, and England. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1878. 8vo. Original cobalt cloth gilt.

The author was a Union army general, renowned for his success attacking entrenched positions with infantry at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. After the war, he continued his career in the army and pioneered military tactics at the United States Military Academy at West Point. General Sherman became interested in German military tactics after their victory in the Franco-Prussian War, marking a decline in US Army reverence for French tactics which had dominated earlier. Sherman ordered Upton to inspect foreign militaries in 1875-1876, with a particular focus on the German military organizations. When he returned, he published this work which led to further reform in the regular U.S. Army (Robert M. Cassidy. "Prophets or Praetorians? The Uptonian Paradox and the Powell Corollary. The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters. Vol. 33, No. 3, Autumn 2003, p 132). Sherman was apparently pleased with the work of Upton, gifting an inscribed copy to the U.S. Minister to Vienna Hon. John A. Kasson (Hindman, Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Session II, 9 November 2022, Lot 509), and keeping this excellent copy in his own library.

Other works include:
Frederick Cook. Journals of the Military Expedition of Major General John Sullivan Against the Six Nations of Indians in 1779 with Records of Centennial Celebrations. Auburn, New York: Knapp, Peck & Thomason, 1887. 4to. Original dark brick cloth gilt. With 2 maps in folio affixed to inner front board. Other folding maps. With "Compliments of Frederick Cook, Secretary of State" slip bound in.

The Baron de Bazancourt. Robert Howe Gould, translator. The Crimean Expedition, to the Capture of Sebastopol. London: Sampson Low, Son & Co., 1856. 2 vols. Original maroon cloth.

A remarkable selection of military works from the library of General William Tecumseh Sherman.

Condition: Varies, a full condition report is 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, Early Indian Wars, Franco-Prussian Wars, Militaria, Military Tactics, Books, Signatures, Ephemera, West Point]