REFERRING
A REQUEST FROM A LADY WHO "LEFT THE SINKING SHIP" OF THE CONFEDERACY
PHILIP
H. SHERIDAN. Autograph Letter Signed as Major General
to Major General Christopher C. Augur, Winchester [VA], 28 January 186[5].
2 pages, 8" x 5", on "Headquarters Middle Military
Division" stationery.
One of the leading Union generals and a brilliant cavalry officer, Philip
Sheridan is best-remembered for his Shenandoah Valley campaign in 1864
and for cutting off Lee's retreat at Appomattox, forcing his surrender,
in 1865. Sheridan writes here, in the final year of the Civil War, referring
a request from a civilian to Union General Christopher Augur, who was
in charge of the Department of Washington. The letterhead has "186_"
printed at the head, and although Sheridan has not filled in the final
number, the year of 1865 can be inferred from the letter’s content,
his location, and his own rank and that of Augur.
"My Dear Augur," Sheridan opens, "I enclose
a letter [not present] from Mrs. Seldon a lady who left the sinking
ship and came to our lines. She wishes to go to Norfolk Va. I referred
her to you. She is living at the House of Professor Henry (Smithsonian),"
he notes, meaning Joseph Henry, the director of the Smithsonian Institution.
He has signed, "P H Sheridan Mj Gnl."
There are a few minor defects touching the printed letterhead, but none
affect Sheridan’s writing, and the letter is in very good condition
overall.
Sheridan’s Civil War-date letters are scarce. $1500.00
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