William T. Sherman to George Mason Graham, May 23, 1860

LOUISIANA STATE SEMINARY, ALEXANDRIA, May 23, 1860.

DEAR GENERAL: . . . Paid for the straw hats, and all outstanding matters, leaving me enough to carry me till the new instalments are called for from the parents, which I will now take in hand, first having completed “posting" all accounts. Yesterday befell me an accident, which compels me to ask you for a duplicate of the check you sent me for my pay for April. I did not ask for the check as I was waiting for this month to expire so as to get two months at once. But the check you sent me is lost, and lest you may suppose me careless I will explain.

For the first time I succeeded in getting Ledoux to ride over the road. I put your envelope with the checks in my pocket – and rode in with Ledoux, examining the road he wants, which lies to the east and south of his house. A straight line goes I think full three hundred yards to the west of his house. Still we rode over it carefully. I was in town, paid Robertson for hats and other little bills, put the other check (of course not yet endorsed) in an envelope along with receipts and came out at midday taking P. along. We rode along, around and across Rocky Bayou and I only am thankful that I got out with any clothes. My horse left hair enough to mark the trail and among other things lost was this envelope with contents. I have been thinking all day to retrace steps and look for it, but think it would be impossible and therefore I ask simply a duplicate of the same check. I will write a note to Mr. Davis, who knows my signature perfectly to caution his cashier against the original, should it have fallen into wrong hands, and a forged endorsement attempted.

You need be in no hurry about this, but as you have occasion to send to Whittington¹ for other checks, ask his signature to the duplicate. Be sure to write “Duplicate” in red ink if you have it across the face of the check.

Whittington spoke to me about escorting his daughter north this summer. I don't know that I accepted it with sufficient vim. It would afford me great pleasure to do that for him — and there is a fitness in it. Mrs. Sherman is a particular friend of the Lady Prioress, your sister.

Lancaster is on the way to Washington and I must go to Washington to make a strong² quota of arms for 1861, which I think Governor Moore and the Adjutant-general Grivot have promised us positively. I have asked the governor to place in my possession the usual requisitions and receipts, or to commission me to receipt for the quota of arms of 1861 and I will during vacation, without charge to state or Seminary go to Washington and try to get them in time for our November opening. I must go to New York about clothing.

Therefore I can escort Miss Whittington, with perfect safety and without additional expense. Of course every step of the journey is as familiar to me as the road hence to your house – indeed more so. I will not however be able to leave till a week or so after cadets are gone as I take it then there will be many things for me to see to, and everybody else will run at the drop of the curtain. Vallas may be excepted. 

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¹ A member of the Board of Supervisors. – Ed.

² So written in letter. There is evidently an omission here. - Ed.

SOURCE: Walter L. Fleming, General W.T. Sherman as College President, p. 214-5