AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS): "I meant the books to represent me, not at my best, but as I really am"
- SIGNED Letter
- Washington DC , 7 June 1913
Washington DC, 7 June 1913. Letter. Expected creases from mailing; ink dark and clear. About Fine. Fine four-page AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED in full with the notation "Army and Navy Club" to Major H. H. Sargent on four panels of one 10-5/8" x 6-3/4" sheet of paper folded. After explaining his delay in responding and the reason for his change of travel plans, Bierce writes, in part: Im glad if anything in the books has given you even a little pleasure. There is much that I put in, not because I particularly liked it myself, but because it had become well known, and was bound to be republished some day by somebody, probably imperfectly. Besides I meant the books to represent me, not at my best. but as I really am, with all my sins, inconsistencies, heedlessness, and other human qualities. I dont want to be anybodys good boy. Ive only one regret I let that fellow [General W. W.] Witherspoon off too easy. Some day I wont. He asks Sargent's opinion of the new cavalry sword and its thrust: Ive been in a good deal of cavalry fighting, and I dont believe that men can be taught to thrust instead of strike, nor that they could do much damage if they did. But I understand that the French do it. I wonder why our military experts do not sometimes study what Americans do -- or did in the days of Stuart, Sheridan and Wilson. Bierce addressed The Army War College faculty and class, at the request of Witherspoon, on 3 October 1908 on the subject of uniform orders and commands in the military service, which he had devised. With holograph transmittal envelope.
Bierce, perhaps the greatest writer to emerge from the Civil War, is best known for his DEVIL'S DICTIONARY and the story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." Enlisting as a private, Bierce experienced combat at numerous battles, including Shiloh, eventually rising to the rank of Major and serving as a staff officer in a Brigade. He was shot in the head at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. The year after this letter was written, he set out to cover the Mexican revolution traveling with Pancho Villas' forces. He was never heard from again. His letters are scarce.
Bierce, perhaps the greatest writer to emerge from the Civil War, is best known for his DEVIL'S DICTIONARY and the story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." Enlisting as a private, Bierce experienced combat at numerous battles, including Shiloh, eventually rising to the rank of Major and serving as a staff officer in a Brigade. He was shot in the head at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. The year after this letter was written, he set out to cover the Mexican revolution traveling with Pancho Villas' forces. He was never heard from again. His letters are scarce.