Lot 720
WILLIAM T. SHERMAN DEFIES A VICKSBURG HERO'S CLAIMS
(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. Superb content A.L.S. W. T. Sherman", 4pp. 8vo., "Army Building", New York, Apr. 14, 1888 to "Genl Strong". Sherman refutes a soldier's description of the assault on Vicksburg, in part: "...I hate to spoil a story which probably this soldier Trogden believes - The First assault on Vicksburg on May 19th at my front along the grave yard Road - by [Major Frank P.] Blair's Division - [Brig. Gen. Hugh] Ewing and [Colonel] Giles Smith's brigades to the right of the road, and [Col. Thoms] Kilby Smith on the left - The only flags which reached the Exterior slope were those of the Battalion of the 13th Regulars whose comdg officer (Washington) was killed, the 83rd Indiana (Spooner), and 127th Illinois (Eldridge). There was no Division flag...nor seen by me though in person I was close up. These colors remained till night when they were brought off - Meantime the Rebels hugged the Parapet inside and we outside...when at night we threw up a parapet and during the rest of the Siege the Rebel ditch was common to both parties...The second assault was made at 2 PM May 22 simultaneous with McPhersons & McClernands Corps far to our left - over the same ground - Blair's Division in advance, [Brig. Gen. James M.] Tuttle's in Support, [Major Gen. Frederick] Steele half a mile to the right near the River. The only flag which reached the Rebel parapet was the one carried by the Storming party...These flags were covered by our sharpshooters outside the ditch till night - when they were withdrawn and the parapet extended, so as to cover a Brigade...The 8th Mo....was composed of bold men, and I dislike to dispute the claim of the most humble man in its ranks. You know how sometimes these hallucinations take possession of individual soldiers, and this one reminds me of what is repeated of General Taylor when President...describing his heroism at Buena Vista...he exclaimed - 'I thought I was at the Battle of Buena Vista, but I have heard so many things that occurred there that I have come to the conclusion I was not there at all' - So with me - I thought I was close in both assaults...but I did not see Trogden at all that day - nor did I witness or hear of that heroic deed that elicited the hearty cheers of both contending armies. - Still as he was of the 8th Missouri any charity in money or praise cannot be amiss...". A few letters on last page blurred, with some soiling thereat, else very good. On May 18, Sherman's forces veered north to take the hills overlooking the Yazoo River. Their possession assured Grant's reinforcement and supply from the north. The next day Federals made the failed first assault on Vicksburg. The second assault, May 22, was a disaster for Union forces, showing the strength of the miles of Confederate works arching east around the city, and convincing Grant that Pemberton could only be defeated in a protracted siege. HOWELL G. TROGDEN (d. 1910) claimed to have carried the 8th Missouri's flag in a charge upon the Confederate works, with both the staff and flag decimated by canister and sold shot. Contrary to Sherman's expectations, in 1894, Trogden, along with seventy seven other men of 8th Mo. were awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroism at Vicksburg.
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