Independence Day – Sherman&Me

Sherman writes of celebrating Independence Day during his first stay in California. At that time the country was rapidly expanding and yet it hadn’t even reached its centennial. He along with other military personnel stationed in Monterey were en route to the American River to inspect and report on the recent findings of gold which had already radically changed the flow of history in ways that merit attention in some future musings. Here I just focus on Sherman’s journey, from Monterey by sailing vessel, dugouts, horseback and foot (which will also warrant a separate entry) to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range some 200 miles north east. Along the way they stopped at Sutter’s Fort built by Swiss John Augustus Sutter a self proclaimed ruler who had established a plantation/colony of sorts under nefarious conditions and circumstances. Sherman makes no mention of this. Instead he writes only of the visit en route towards the goldfields along the riverbeds.

Sherman writes:

The fort itself was one of adobe-walls, about twenty feed high, rectangular in form with two-story block-houses at diagonal corners the entrance was bay a large gate, open by day and closed at night, with two iron ship’s guns near at hand. Inside there was a large house with a good shingle-roof, used as a storehouse, and all around the walls were ranged rooms, the fort-wall being the outer wall of the house. The inner wall was of adobe. These rooms were used by Captain Sutter himself and by his people. He had a blacksmith’s shop, carpenter’s shop, etc., and other rooms where the women made blankets.

We found preparations in progress for celebrating the Fourth of July, then close at hand and we agreed to remain over to assist on the occasion; of course, being the high officials, we were the honored guests. People came from a great distance to attend this celebration of the Fourth of July and the tables were laid in the large room inside the storehouse of the fort. A man of some note, named Sinclair, presided, and after a substantial mean and a reasonable supply of aguardiente we began the toasts. All that I remember is that Folsom and I spoke for our party; others, Captain Sutter included, made speeches, and before the celebration was over Sutter was very “tight,” and many others showed the effects of the aguardiente.

Gold Regions of California James Wyld 1849 www.wdl.org

The next day (namely July 5, 1848) we resumed our journey toward the mines, and, in twenty-five miles of as hot and dusty a ride as possible we reached Mormon Island”
W.T. Sherman Memoirs Vol I

(L)US Flag 1851 (California’s entry into the Union),(R) California State Flag

Sherman’s eye witness account of the discovery of gold in California and its rapid chaotic transformation offers perspectives that deserve more attention. Perhaps though the July 4th at Sutter’s Fort was one of the first commemoration of a still very newly formed democratic republic committed –however inconsistently and imperfectly– to the ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

But these comparisons are idle. I want peace, and believe it can only be reached through union and war,

By Thure de Thulstrup Seige of Atlanta – Thttps://commons.wikimedia.org

Sherman wrote in September 1864, as he laid siege of Atlanta in the attempts to end the war of secession; otherwise known as the American Civil War.

Who would have surmised that in the weeks following the day dedicated to honoring fallen soldiers with wreaths placed at monuments, the country would be swept with a wave of their destruction? It’s painful as it is necessary. Painful because a monument is a way of honoring good deeds of leaders and the memory of dearly beloved relatives and friends. Necessary because for others rocks shaped into monuments can be the terrible reminder of atrocities suffered by beloved relatives and friends.

As the Union army captured Atlanta Sherman sent a letter to its civic leaders recommending they evacuate their citizens. He intended to destroy its infrastructure in the effort to end the long and bloody war. The line of logic concludes: “war is war and you cannot refine it”. The city was destroyed but its inhabitants spared.

Left: Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman and his staff in the trenches outside of Atlanta https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_campaign Right:https://commons. Right ShermanAtlanta.wikimedia

The American Civil War threatened the collapse of a young nation. Of greater interest today is that it ended slavery or at least delegitimized it. In the effort to reunite the nation monuments were made in many towns and cities across the country. It was as a way of grieving for lost sons, fathers and brothers –casualties that exceeded more than all other US wars combined. Building monuments became as it were a path towards reconciliation and forgiveness.

Recent events remind us we still have a long way to go by way of reconciliation and healing. Honest conversations about monuments are important. Discussions are futile if not supported by real change eradicating economic and social disparity due to systemic racism. Underlining both these questions is a deeper one: to what extent and in what ways do we as a people wish to preserve what we know as the United Sates of America?

I know I had no hand in making this war, and I know I will make more sacrifices today than any of you to secure peace.
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Letter_to_James_M._Calhoun,_et_al.,_September_12,_1864

Sherman continued in his letter to the citizens of Atlanta. He tried to show through deeds his desire to works towards peace and unity. Do I know how to do that? Am I willing to make sacrifices to do so?

Mathew Brady (1823–1896) – *The Photography Book*, Phaidon Press, London 1997

Sherman was convinced : “You cannot have peace and a division of our country. If the United States submits to a division now, it will not stop.” Creating a more perfect union by way of thoughtful engagement, compromise and consensus is not easy. But it’s necessary if we wish to continue to strengthen unity through diversity under the longest enduring constitution the world has known. Yes, our country is imperfect. Yes, it’s easier to destroy than to create, demolish than to build, tear than to mend and kill than to heal. But what would be left to bind us a country?

Achieving the more perfect union the framers of the constitution, our forefathers and mothers envisioned compels me like Sherman to want to work towards building, creating, mending and healing. A commitment to liberty and justice for all is a war of a different sort that provides conditions for peace to endure. That’s a war of independence worth fighting.