Union general renowned for burning Atlanta during his relentless March to the Sea. ALS signed “W. T. Sherman,” four pages on two lightly-lined adjoining sheets, 7.75 x 9.75, Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy letterhead, November 18, 1860. Letter written to a friend while Sherman was president of what is now Louisiana State University, expressing his concern about the pending crisis and the future welfare of his family. In part, “I wrote you some time ago just before I received your letter by the hand of Cadet Perkins. You have been traveling this summer in the Southern States. My…lay mostly through the Northern and middle. You must have seen many Southern People not Politicians, and I would like to know your opinion about what South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama & N. Carolina are going to do because Lincoln is elected. Can it be possible that with all the checks originally designed for either a defeat within either Department of our Government, still in free power vis a conservative Supreme Court and Democratic or Opposition Congress, that states are going to attempt succession? I remember well the feeling in S. Carolina but it looks like Quixotisms in her, to withdraw from a federation of States which is not & cannot be a mere loose pack and of which one may fall…pulling down the whole. At present some admit Lincoln hostile to Slavery which his friends deny, some as to its extension over Territories such as New Mexico, Rocky Mountains & c & c where no Gentleman would ever take a Slave or anything else worth having. Can it be possible that the thousands who do own slaves are going to Imperil the whole by provoking Civil War! The paper received last night has alarmed me. Simply because the time has just come for me to send for my family, my house being near completion, and I had in my mind already begun the movement of bringing them all down and preparing for them in advance at much cost. But of course if we are to begin Civil War or even if S. Carolina is to act foolishly and Southern States feel bound to stand by her. I will not incur the expense or risk my family by bringing them South. You must know. I do know it, that the Creole Planters, some at least don’t manage their Slaves well. Either to protect them or to keep them subordinate: and if Civil War once begins: if the Negroes once do suppose the power of their owners is shaken by political events, who can stay the storm. Here…and with you…the physical power of the Negroes is 20 to 1, and though I do not see any sign of mischief, yet I do see signs of weariness among the Whites; ladies especially - Yesterday Cadets found a Negro concealing a pistol, powder & shot - they have even asked me to post sentinels before they know anything about the duties of sentinels. I install these not as a sign of danger, but as evidence of a lurking fear manifested by women & children, who are not as hardened as we are, and are more sensitive…But I do agree the South would commit suicide by casting off the friendship of the larger minority of voters north and also of a very large body who voted for Lincoln, as I know, not in hostility to Slavery, not in Enmity to the South, but in opposition to the Democratic Party and from local reasons. Should the South secede - or any part thereof you will have the same difficulties in the new Confederacy for in it there will be differences or shades of opinion on which to base different interests & parties. But I will not discuss the Question with you. All I know is that up here Gov. Moore & Dr. Smith have gone to Baton Rouge and New Orleans to watch events. I see by the papers that South Carolina, Georgia & Alabama are not prepared to wait and intend to break off trusting to be followed by Sister States. You are also near the telegraph & sources of information and can judge…and whilst I personally might be willing to incur all the risks of civil war & strife, I do not wish to subject my wife & children to the fear and real danger that must ensue even an attempt at secession. I still hope & trust it is merely a repetition of newspaper excitement soon to subside and in that belief I confirm my mind to my personal independent duties.” Prior to the outbreak of hostilities between the North and the South, William Tecumseh Sherman was Superintendent of the Louisiana State Seminary and Military Academy at Alexandria, Louisiana. After the war, the school moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and became Louisiana State University (LSU). Talk of the secession from the Union was rampant, yet the motto of the seminary was “By the liberality of the General Government of the United States, the Union - esto perpetua.” In very good condition, with mailing folds, professional repairs to several small fold separations, scattered soiling and small stains, and light show-through from text on reverse. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
