Generals U.S. Grant and William T. Sherman, the Two Military Men Most Responsible for Union Victory in the Civil War, Both Approve and Sign a Promotion for the General and Commander of the First Unit of Colored Soldiers to See Combat

This is our first piece ever signed by both Grant and Sherman, and in fact the first we can recall ever seeing

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Sherman: “I concur in the recommendation of Col. & Bvt. Brig. Genl. J.M. Williams for an appointment as Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel of a Colored Regiment, Regular Army…; Grant: “I concur in the recommendation of Col. & Bot. Brig. Genl. J.M. Williams for an appointment as Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel of a...

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Generals U.S. Grant and William T. Sherman, the Two Military Men Most Responsible for Union Victory in the Civil War, Both Approve and Sign a Promotion for the General and Commander of the First Unit of Colored Soldiers to See Combat

This is our first piece ever signed by both Grant and Sherman, and in fact the first we can recall ever seeing

Sherman: “I concur in the recommendation of Col. & Bvt. Brig. Genl. J.M. Williams for an appointment as Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel of a Colored Regiment, Regular Army…; Grant: “I concur in the recommendation of Col. & Bot. Brig. Genl. J.M. Williams for an appointment as Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel of a Colored Regiment, Regular Army…”

 

General Reynolds praises the appointee for his roll in reducing conflict between black and white soldiers. He would go on to fight in the ‘Indian Wars’

With the Civil War at a close, Brevet Brig. General James M. Williams sought an appointment in the Regular Army after being mustered out of volunteer service. He had helped organize, and was initial commander, of the first unit of colored soldiers to see combat, the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry. Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Reynolds wrote to support Williams’ application. In a letter dated December 2, 1865, on Headquarters Department of Arkansas letterhead, he wrote: “Colonel J. M. Williams Bvt. Brig. Genl., 79th U.S. Colored, has commanded a colored brigade in this dept. with great efficiency. His brigade was well disciplined & instructed and was afterwards distributed at ports in the dept. The collisions etc that have frequently occurred between colored troops and others and between them and citizens have been avoided in this department. A full share of this result is due to the discipline enforced by Genl. Williams. His retention in the service would be a benefit to the public interest”.

On the verso of this letter, side by side, are letter-length endorsements of both Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman. This is the only time we have seen something signed by both men, making this a true rarity.

Sherman wrote this endorsement from Headquarters, St. Louis, February 11, 1866. “I have no personal connection with this officer, but on the faith of Gen. Reynolds’ letter recommend his application to a favorable action, subject to the same examination as may be prescribed for others. W.T. Sherman, Maj. Genl.”

Alongside this Grant, in his endorsement, concurs in Williams’ appointment, conditioned on his being assigned again to a colored regiment. “I concur in the recommendation of Col. & Bvt. Brig. Genl. J.M. Williams for an appointment as Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel of a Colored Regiment, Regular Army in reorganization of same should such troops compose a portion of the organization. U.S. Grant, Lt. Gen., Washington DC, March 1, 1866.”

Brig. Genl. Robert Mitchell also approves the application, saying he took great pleasure in recommending Williams “for a position in the Regular Army. He has served faithfully and well in the cause of our country through the entire rebellion and deserves well of the government….”

Getting recommendations from Grant and Sherman were powerful enough to secure Williams’ appointment. He was commissioned a captain in the new 8th U.S. Cavalry Regiment of the regular army on July 28, 1866., commanding Company I. The 8th Cavalry was at first based out of Fort Whipple in the Arizona Territory, but later stationed at Fort Selden and Fort Bayard, both in the New Mexico Territory.

Grant and Sherman are the two military men most responsible for Union victory in the Civil War. In all our decades in this field, this is our first piece ever signed by both, and in fact the first we can recall ever seeing.

 

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