WILLIAM T. SHERMAN (1820-1891) Union major general declared by the press to be "insane", he led his army in their March to the Sea, taking Atlanta, Savannah and Columbia along the way. Uncommon torpedo content A.L.S. "yr Friend, W.T. Sherman General," 3pp. 8vo, on stationery imprinted Headquarters Army of the United States, Washington, D.C., June 8, 1877. To "Genl. Henry L. Abbot Comg Willetts Point " about a visit by President Rutherford B. Hayes's Secretary of War George Washington McCrary and the demonstration of a torpedo that was photographed. He writes: "Yours of June 4 with the photographs of the Torpedo of May 18, on the occasion of Mr. McCrary's visit was received yesterday and I have kept two, gave two to Green, and four to Mr. McCrary. We all agree that the Photograph is unusually good, the spray being all the better represented by the apparent obscurity. I am always amazed that the chemicals can be so sensitive as to record the Effect at the Smallest conceivable subdivision of Time. I assure you that we were all charmed with our visit at Willetts Point as I always am personally – and regretted much that we were hurried by previous appointments of Mr. McCrary. Always wishing you all honor & Success... ". Brigadier General Henry Larcom Abbott, sometimes confused with Capt. Henry Livermore Abbott who was killed in action in the Wilderness, received brevets for distinguished service at 1st Bull Run, Yorktown, Petersburg, and in commanding the siege artillery in Grant's Virginia campaign. $400-500