LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Civil War Auction #674  / 

72161

SHERMAN'S MARCH TO SEA ALBERT J. WHITLEY 5 ALS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:975.00 USD Estimated At:1,300.00 - 1,500.00 USD
SHERMAN'S MARCH TO SEA ALBERT J. WHITLEY 5 ALS
<B> SHERMAN'S MARCH TO THE SEA ALBERT J. WHITLEY ARCHIVE OF FIVE CIVIL WAR-DATE AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED.</B></I> Each with fantastic content, written during Sherman's famous March to the Sea and the subsequent pursuit of the Confederates up into North Carolina until the end of the war. The Union soldier, Albert Whitley, is extremely well-spoken in these letters and gives a wonderful, first-hand account of the sights and sounds of the Federal army as it moves through the Georgia countryside on the way to Savannah. A few of the highlights: Nov. 29 - Dec. 10 <I>"We commenced distroying</B></I> sic <I> the railroad again & camped at night at Bostwick Station...this day we burned a large amount of lumber of all kinds. The country here is quite wet...Our company went out to get forage for the 141st we found plenty but had a hard time getting it to camp...We are now 70 m. from Savannah...We were stopped by the Rebels about noon our Division advanced & found a large swamp between the Rebs & us they had two guns, & 400 men, & two forts. We drove them out after a brisk skirmish our loss light." </B></I> Jan. 1, 1865 from Savannah, Georgia <I>"We entered this City Dec. 21st the rebels having evacuated it the night before, they left all of their siege guns...</B></I> and <I>crossed over into South Carolina. Our men have taken out the Torpedoes in the River & now our steamers & transports can run in...General Sherman has reviewed his entire army in Savannah, it was a grand & imposing scene & one long to be remembered by all present. Among this army of 90,000 men there is not one mane</B></I> sic <I> that does not like General Sherman & think him one of the best Generals in our army. There is 20,000 citizens in this city & they all seem glad that we are here."</B></I> March 12, 1865 from Fayetteville, North Carolina : <I>"We have taken several Towns of importance but they lay in ashes now, & so do the most of the buildings along the line of march. Each corps took a road by its self </B></I> sic <I>, so by this means we laid waste to a strip of country fifty miles in width, there is nothing eatable left behind. General Grant will soon have an army in Lee's rear that will be too large for Lee to cope with, and the South will have to come to terms of peace soon...Our regt. was in but one Skirmish & then we made the Rebs run four miles in a short time & we took possession of the Town of Chesterfield in the name of the Great United States."</B></I> April 7, 1865 from Goldsboro, North Carolina <I>"We expect to leave here the first of next week but the change in affairs at Richmond may hasten or delay our marching, I only hope we may not have to go on another campaign but then when Sherman says go, we will go, thinking all is for the best."</B></I> April 29, 1865 from Raleigh, North Carolina <I>"...we are to start for home tomorrow. We are to march to Richmond & from thense</B></I> sic <I> to Washington...About the death of our late President there is considerable said, but I will only say I deeply regret his loss."</B></I><BR><BR>A great chronicle of this historic military maneuver, in which Sherman cut all lines of communication and supply and forged his way overland to Savannah, living off of the lush Georgia countryside and burning everything in his path. Sherman's scorched-earth policies have always been highly controversial, and Sherman's memory has long been reviled by many natives of Georgia, but slaves, many of whom left their plantations to follow his armies, welcomed him as a liberator. The March to the Sea is considered by many historians to have demonstrated Sherman's superb command of military strategy, and his commitment to destroying the Confederacy's ability to wage further war may well have hastened the end of the conflict. Whitley's discussion of the triumphant approach to Savannah and the subsequent pursuit of Johnston up into North Carolina is especially compelling, and offers a rare glimpse into the final, desperate days of the Confederate army. <BR><B><BR>Condition:</B></I> Each in fine condition. <BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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