William T. Sherman
Saint Louis, MO, December 1, 1865
Sherman Declines to Aid a Civil War Hero: "leave me to give what little influence I possess to other young gentlemen...who have no one else than this old Commander"
ALS

William T. Sherman Autograph Letter Signed. 2pp on imprinted letterhead, 8" x 10"; Saint Louis; December 1, 1865. A letter to Captain Joseph A. Sladen begging off giving a recommendation for an appointment in the Regular Army. Sherman explains that he would prefer to reserve his little influence to aid "young gentlemen of the Volunteer Army who have no one else than this old Commander to befriend them." Signed, "W.T. Sherman / Maj Genl." With age toning, more so along the edges. Minor separations at the folds, and a strip of mounting remnant along the verso of blank integral affecting the recipient's filing docket.

Despite declining to aid the young officer, Sherman's letter is warm and congratulatory. He writes, in part: "I have not the remotest idea what increase will be made in the Regular Army and am asked for so many letter of the kind that I naturally try to avoid giving them except in the cases when the applicants have special claims to my notice. It looks to me that you are so favorably placed… Gen Howard that my recommendation would add little if any to your chances. All applicants will of course have to be examined by some Board and I feel assured General Howards name will procure you all I could possibly give. I beg therefore if you can get your name on the list of applicants officially will leave me to give what little influence I possess to other young gentlemen of the Volunteer Army who have no one else than this old Commander to befriend them."

At the time Sherman's letter was written, Joseph Alton Sladen was serving as an aide de camp to General Oliver Otis Howard, Superintendent of the Freedmen's Bureau. As Sherman notes in his letter, Sladen had a distinguished Civil War service record, during which he had been promoted to first lieutenant and then captain in the 14th United States Colored Infantry Regiment. His most heroic act occurred at the Battle of Resaca in May 1864. He left his clerical duties to personally rally retreating troops, inspiring the 33rd Massachusetts Infantry to repel enemy forces. He received a Medal of Honor in 1895 for his actions at Resaca.

Sladen remained with General Howard and continued to serve with distinction. He was with Howard throughout the journey, negotiations and signing of the treaty with the Chiricahua Apache leader Cochise in 1872. Additionally, he attended Howard University Medical School and was later awarded an honorary degree of Master of Arts by the University.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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