William T. Sherman to W. F. Giles [?] explaining that he takes full responsibility for the death of his former law partner and is trying to obtain an appointment for the man's daughter - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC06340
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to the 1880s
Title	William T. Sherman to W. F. Giles [?] explaining that he takes full responsibility for the death of his former law partner and is trying to obtain an appointment for the man's daughter
Date	21 June 1885
Author	Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891)
Recipient	Giles, W. F. [?]
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Last name of recipient is illegible. Takes responsibility for his former law partner's death at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain under Sherman's command. "McCook was my law partner and I caused his death. I have already written his child the exact truth...." Informs that he is trying to obtain an appointment for the orphaned daughter of McCook. Describes a dilemma Ulysses S. Grant relayed to him during his presidency. Grant apparently agreed to find a position for a veteran fired by his postmaster General Creswell, but was not aware the former soldier was severely disabled by war wounds. Sherman comments that Grant found him a place anyway. He hopes he doing the right thing to get this orphaned girl a position as he does not know the incumbent in office.
Subjects	Civil War Military History Battle Death Children and Family Letter of Introduction or Recommendation Women's History President Union General Union Forces Injury or Wound Post Office
People	Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) Giles, W. F. (fl. 1885)
Place written	St. Louis, Missouri
Theme	Children & Family; Law; The American Civil War
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1860-1945
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945
Transcript	Show/hide 912 Garrison Avenue, St. Louis, Mo. June 21 1885 Hon. W. F. Vilas Washington DC. Dear Sir, I cannot refrain from Expressing in the [illegible] words prescribe my gratification at this Spontanious & gracious Expressions in your letter of June 19 just received. I promise not to draw on such a friend of love & respect without Cause. McCook was my Law Partner, & I Caused his death - [2] I have already written his child then exact truth, and will again write her to get the principal Citizens of East Ruttland to petition for her appointment, or that of his [inserted: Ship] Father for the office She Covets. I have had much Experience in these matters, and Know the different between Setiment and fact - Grant when President told me of a dilemma in which he was [inserted: once] pleased. - His Postmaster General Creswell of Maryland recommended the removal of A.B at Hagerstown, and the appointment of CD. - Knowing [3] nothing of the parties he Assented - In a few days came to the White House, A.B. who had been a Soldier, minus an Eye, a crippled arm, and a leg tortured & twisted by half a dozen musket bullets in the Wilderness. - He simply inquired why he had been removed to make place for a man who Kept a Livery Stable and controlled a dozen votes. Grant was simply dumb-founded and finally concluded he must give AB a better place which he did. So, I do not know the present incumbent, and may in my desire to help McCooks [struck: two] orphan girl [4] be actually doing a wrong to a most worthy person - Please Construe me aright, and deliever me. that I merely want to respond feelingly to the appeal of [inserted: the child of] an Old Friend & Comrade - but be the Action of the President or the Department what it may, I will be Equally positive that the decision is right, just and conclusive, With great respect as always Your Friend, W.T. Sherman

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