Description
First edition of the Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, in scarce blue cloth binding, with the signature of General Sherman in the first volume.
Octavo, [two volumes], 405pp, [2pp ads]; 409pp, [6pp ads]. Blue cloth, title in gilt on spines and covers. Both with solid bindings, near fine examples. Volume II in blue pebbled cloth, an atypical variant from Volume I. Yellow endpapers. Fold-out map at rear of Volume II in fine condition, detailing the marches of forces under General Sherman’s command from 1862-1865. (Nevins II: 89) (Dornbusch II: 2429)
Signature of General Sherman affixed to front pastedown of Volume I, with provenance showing it was cut from a Senate Register during the Civil War.
Published in 1875, Sherman’s memoirs were well received, with Mark Twain noting that he was “a master of narrative.” General Sherman was mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 1884 but declined the nomination, noting that “I will not accept if nominated and will not serve if elected.” This would forever be known as a Shermanesque statement and has been used by politicians ever since to put down speculation of seeking higher office.
