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AMS signed within the text, "William Tecumseh Sherman," seven pages on two sets of adjoining sheets, 8 x 12.5, no date but annotated on the reverse in another hand, "Gen. Sherman's Military Record, written by himself," and by his son Philemon T. Sherman, "Written by Gen. Sherman in 1865, at the close of the war. P. T. Sherman."
Sherman's military autobiography begins: "William Tecumseh Sherman—born Feb. 8, 1820—entered U.S. Mil. Academy with the class from 1836—graduated No. 6, July 1, 1840—commissioned Jun'r Lt. 3rd Artillery and reported for duty at Fort Columbus, Sept. 20, 1840—joined Company A, 3rd Art'y at Fort Pierce, Fla., Oct. 1840—promoted to 1st Lt. to Company G, Nov'r 30, 1841."
After tracing his assignments and promotions through the 1840s and 1850s, he joined the private sector: "Became a member of the Law firm of Sherman, Ewing and McCook at Leavenworth City, Kansas, from September 1858 until September 1859. When by invitation of Governor Wickliffe of Louisiana went to Louisiana and engaged as Superintendent of the State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy, inaugurated that Institution and put it in successful operation up to the 1st of March 1861, when in consequence of the secession of that State resigned and insisted on quitting the State and returning to St. Louis. Was elected President of the 5th Street Railroad Comp'y, entered upon its duties April 1, and continued until invited to Washington and received on the 13th of June a Commission as Colonel of the 13th Regular Infantry, and assigned to duty in command of a Brigade of Infantry at Fort Corcoran…
Took part in the disastrous battle at Bull Run July 21, 1861. Aug. 3 1861 appointed Brig. Genl. of Vols. and Aug. 28 was transferred to the Dept. of the Cumberland and reported to General Robert Anderson…Oct. 61 succeeded Gen. Anderson in chief command of the Dept. but after repeated & urgent requests to be relieved of a chief & important command was superseded by General Buell and Nov. 13, 1861 ordered to report for duty to Maj. Genl. Halleck at St. Louis…On the 23 Dec'r placed in command of Benton Barracks. Feb. 17 62 ordered to Paducah to expedite reinforcements and supplies to General Grant then operating up the Tennessee River, and by instructions of Gen. Halleck made up a Division of new troops which has arrived at Paducah…
April 6 & 7 in command…took part in the hard fought Battle of Shiloh under Genl. Grant, and afterwards on the successful advance and occupation of Corinth by General Halleck. May 26, appointed Maj. Genl. of Volunteers—during June & July 1862. Moved westward along the Memphis Road…and occupied Memphis July 21. Nov. moved under orders of and in concert with Genl. Grant against the enemy entrenched behind the Tallahatchie…At Oxford, Miss. was sent with a force of 20,000 men hastily collected at Memphis & Helena down the Mississippi to carry Vicksburg…failed by reason of natural obstacles…and immediately turned against Arkansas Post…Arkansas Post carried by assault Jan. 11, 1863.
Jan. 2, 1863 assigned to command & organize the 15th Corps. in command of which took part in all the operations against Vicksburg till its surrender July 4, and then turned against the relieving force under Gen. Joe Johnston…Sept. 23 63 at a camp 20 miles back of Vicksburg rec'd orders to proceed towards Chattanooga to the relief of Gen. Rosecrans, reached Memphis by water & then by land marched to Chattanooga & took part in the great Battles of the Missionary Ridge, Nov'r 23 & 24 under General Grant, and without rest, hurried on to Knoxville and compelled the Rebel General Longstreet to miss the siege of that place Nov'r 4.—Returned to Chattanooga and Bridgeport…and hastened down the Mississippi to Memphis & Vicksburg, and with a force of 20,000 men made a winter march to Meridian, Miss….
Oct. 25, 1863 appointed to command the Dept. of the Tennessee. March…1864, appointed to command the Mil. Div'n of the Miss. composed to the Depts. of the Tennessee, Cumberland, Ohio, and Arkansas. Hd Qrs Nashville. Proceeded to organize an active Army of one hundred thousand men, for the spring campaign.
May 6. Moved for Chattanooga in command of the Army, fought the Battles of Dalton, Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw, Atlanta & Jonesboro, and occupied Atlanta Sept. 2, 1864. Nov. 16, 1864, moved across Georgia & occupied Savannah Dec. 21, 1864. Moved from the base of the Savannah River Feb. 1, 1865, & marched across South Carolina & North Carolina, fighting the Battles of Averasboro & Bentonville & occupied Goldsboro, March 21.
April 10, 1865, moved to Raleigh & Durham Station and on the 18th received the surrender of Johnston's Army being one of the closing acts of the Great War. Still in command of the Mil. Div'n Miss, Head Qrs St. Louis, Mo. Present commission Major Gen'l of the Regular Army." In very good to fine condition, with small chips and fold splits.
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