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Charles Ewing - William T. Sherman Family papers

Collection

Identifier: GTM-000008

Scope and Contents

This collection contains correspondence, manuscripts, diaries, documents, ledgers, scrapbooks, photographs, and printed material concerning the Ewing and Sherman families. Included are 10 ALS's (l859-91) from William T. Sherman to his daughter Minnie Sherman Fitch and grand-daughter, Eleanor Sherman Fitch; AMs, "Speech at West Point" (1887), written and delivered by Sherman; material from General Charles Ewing, including leaves from a letter book (1880s), diary (1862, 1864), and photostat copies of correspondence and official orders (1863-64); letter written to Thomas Ewing referring to the loss of government money in the retreat from Pilot's Knob; and a Ewing autograph book (1893-96). Also included are numerous genealogical documents and notes. And, there are typed transcribed copies of letters (1854-1855; 1878-1881) between William T. Sherman and his friend and banking partner Henry Turner Smith.

Note: Click on "External Documents" below for a link to the inventory of the collection.

Dates

1850 - 1933

Conditions Governing Access note

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.

Biographical Notes

Charles Ewing (1835-1883) was an attorney who became a Union Army general during the American Civil War. He was the brother-in-law of William Tecumseh Sherman. Born on March 6, 1835 in Lancaster, Ohio, Charles Ewing attended Dominican and Gonzaga colleges. He practiced law in St. Louis beginning in 1860. During the Civil War, Ewing fought in Arkansas and Mississippi campaigns. At Vicksburg, he was wounded three times. He served with his brother-in-law William T. Sherman in the March to the Sea. After the war, Ewing resumed his legal profession.

[Source: "Charles Ewing," "Who Was Who in America: Historical Volume, 1607-1896"(Chicago: Marquis, 1963), p. 174.]

William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891) was a Union Army general during the American Civil War, known for his "scorched earth" policies. He was married to Ellen Ewing Sherman, the sister of Charles Ewing. Also born in Lancaster, Ohio, Sherman graduated from West Point in 1840. He married Ellen Ewing on May 1, 1850. As a soldier, he served in the Mexican War. In 1853, Sherman began a banking career in San Francisco. During the Civil War, he served in a wide array of leadership roles, most notably at Bull Run, Shiloh, the lead-up to Vicksburg, and his famous Georgia campaign. He remained in the army until 1883.

[Source: "William Tecumseh Sherman," "Who Was Who in America: Historical Volume, 1607-1896"(Chicago: Marquis, 1963), p. 480.]