General William T. Sherman's Civil War sword and books will be put on sale at an auction.
While sorting through artifacts from Union Army General William Tecumseh Sherman's possessions, Linn stumbled upon a special memoir: a first edition of Ulysses S. Grant's memoir bound in rare "tree calf" leather, which looked like bark on the cover. Linn initially set it aside but later reviewed it and discovered Sherman's own handwriting inside.
The book contained more than just the written work—Sherman had made personal notes and recollections in it. As one of the few surviving friends of the future President Grant during the war, Sherman described their connection as "brothers," rather than a traditional commander relationship.
This discovery is significant because Sherman's annotations shed light on some historic events, like his first meeting with Abraham Lincoln, which can be found within a memoir considered one of the finest by a president or general. Born in Lancaster, Ohio, Sherman was a crucial figure in the Civil War, known for his "hard war" strategy and "March to the Sea," a controversial campaign that destroyed infrastructure across the South. He also issued a decree—originally known as "40 acres and a mule"—that attempted to compensate freed slaves with land for their labor.
Despite the auction's potential controversy regarding the sale of public history to private individuals, the significance of the items is unquestionable. Having never been offered for sale before, Sherman's descendants are "offering [them] with great pride and anticipation." The collection consists of Sherman's wartime sword, his military rank insignia, and a family Bible.
Notably, the Sherman House Museum in Lancaster, Ohio, is closely monitoring the auction and concerned about the prospect of these historical artifacts being privately owned rather than publicly accessible. However, they've already garnered interest from potential buyers: museums and institutions, as well as private collectors. Fleischer, the auction house's founder, anticipates items from the collection could achieve a high value, with an overall total estimated between $100,000 and significantly more. Bidding for the collection started online, and Sherman's sword alone is estimated to cost between $40,000 and $60,000.
In a recent statement, the museum's director, Michael Johnson, expressed concern that winning bids from private owners could mean keeping the items out of public view. He shared how many people hope the museum can obtain the relics, going as far as raising over $90,000. With the auction slated for Tuesday, Johnson hopes a private buyer would be willing to loan the items to the museum. Fleischer, who is also optimistic about the auction's turnout, admits he is thrilled to be part of such a momentous find.
Linn, the person who made the discovery of Sherman's memoir, feels a sense of accomplishment, equating her feelings to being a detective who unearths a meaningful artifact. The auction is likely to attract a large audience as a result of this special find. Fleischer, the founder of the auction house, shares this sentiment, calling the collection "probably the most important offering of Civil War antiques that have been sold in recent memory." The significance of Sherman's life cannot be overstated; he is considered a pivotal figure in American history.
Besides the memoir, Fleischer and Linn unearthed numerous other notes in Sherman's handwriting. These notes range from simple corrections to his unique perspectives on events mentioned in other books. Linn described the overall experience as a moment of discovery, saying, "Being able to open up these books and seeing that he had inscribed and signed his name on so many of them was a real moment of discovery."
With the auction scheduled for Tuesday, the items will soon be in the hands of new custodians, ready to display and preserve this important piece of American history. The museum and the auction house hope these new owners will uphold the legacy of William Tecumseh Sherman, keeping his achievements respected and remembered for generations.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
