Description:

GEN. JOSHUA W. SILL PARLAYS WITH CONFEDERATES
JOSHUA W. SILL (1831-1862) Union brigadier general, commanded a brigade in Gen. Philip Sheridan's Army of the Cumberland. Met with Sheridan on the eve of the Battle of Stones River, and mistakenly donned Sheridan's coat as he left the conference. He was still wearing the coat when he was fatally shot the next day. Very rare, fabulous content war-date A.L.S., 4pp. 8vo., ‘Camp near Nashville', March 16, 1862, a lengthy message to his mother providing a sweeping view of the trajectory of the war in the Tennessee theater and the experience of the occupiers in Confederate territory. He begins by thanking her for a recent package and discusses recent rainy weather before continuing, in part: ‘...In one point of view this is favorable, as it keeps up the river junction of the Cumberland & Tennessee rivers – that of the latter especially is very important at the present moment, as the gunboats are already ascending into Alabama. The only rebel forces now in the state are dispersed irregularly from Chattanooga to Jackson Tenn. & Memphis. Probably 60,000 would be an ample estimate of their number. I suppose now that [Gen. Samuel R.] Curtis has cleared out Missouri and [Gen. John] Pope has taken New Madrid, nothing can prevent an immediate movement on the present point of the enemy. [Gen. Don Carlos] Buell's army is already on the move – one division under McCall [?] has started by way of Franklin for Decatur Alabama, and before the end of the week I think [Gen. Ormsby] Mitchell [sic] will be moving toward Chattanooga a long march of say 130 miles. If we block the East Tennessee Railroad, the west is isolated from any efforts on the part of the Confederates – and they are left to the tender mercy of McClellan. I suppose, however, there must be some desperate fighting yet. Here in Nashville, I am glad to see [future President] Andy Johnson employing severe measures to keep down the secessionists. Buell has followed thus far a weak, milk & water policy, under which these fellows laughed… & waxed more impudent from day to day. Tennessee people have unfortunately enlisted their remaining means in the Southern Confederacy – Nashville was the great entrepot for their manufacturing supplies, and the downfall of this supplier will bankrupt very many. Add to this that such... men as [Senator] Jno. Bell… have given in… and it is not strange that these people are stiff-necked… to a wonderful degree. Nothing but the strong arm of power will awake them…' Sill diverges to discuss his compatriots' ‘...Thirst for military glory...' before continuing: ‘...And here in Nashville the… women appeared to have lost feminine instincts. Seeing the funerals of our soldiers, they publicly smile & laugh & hope ‘all the Lincolnists' may thus perish. Another lady of position addressed a request to Buell, that the men might be removed from her vicinity as ‘she found the presence of federals offensive' – and so on with all sorts of petty indignities from day to day. Day before yesterday a flag of truce came in from [Confederate] Genl [William J.] Hardee. The party was commanded by Col. [John T.] Wood of the rebel army a nephew of Jeff Davis – I had known him at West Point; He brought along with him the famous marauder Capt. [later Gen. John H.] Morgan, and to judge from their conversation & manners, you might have supposed them polished gentlemen of honor… but their exploits have been infamous and cruel. Wood told me that he had nearly captured Mitchell, and promises to catch me at the first opportunity. I hope not at this stage, and did not tell him that but for his flag of truce, I had intended to take Murfreesboro & his whole party the same night…" He signs ‘Jos. W. Sill' in black ink, adding the postscript ‘Excuse my scrawl & the disconnected thoughts' on the first page, signing again with his initials ‘J. W. S.' Shows original mailing folds, with the two leaves partially separated but expertly repaired with archival tape, and with a small pencil identifying inscription to the front page, else very good to fine. Certainly one of the best and most detailed letters we have seen from any Civil War general, much less one who would fall in battle! Sold with a period engraving of Sill.

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November 14, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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