Sherman, Francis Trowbridge, 1825-1905

Sherman served briefly as an officer in two other regiments before becoming colonel of the 88th Illinois Infantry. He was later brevetted brigadier general. He was a manufacturer and postmaster in Chicago after the Civil War.

From the description of Letter, January 13, 1863. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 69399897

Union Army officer, 88th Illinois Cavalry.

From the description of Diaries of Francis Trowbridge Sherman, 1863-1865 [manuscript]. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647808184

Chicagoan who participated in the California gold rush and was colonel of the 88th Illinois Infantry Regiment during the Civil War.

The first child of Francis Cornwall and Electa Sherman, Francis Trowbridge Sherman moved in 1834 with his parents from Connecticut to Chicago, where his father built the Sherman House, operated a brickyard, and held political office (mayor, alderman, state representative). In 1849, F.T. Sherman journeyed overland to California (via the Platte River, Fort Bridger, and Salt Lake City) with his friend Henry A. Ballentine. Spending his first winter in Sacramento, Sherman remained for about a year before returning to Chicago via the Isthmus of Panama. During the Civil War, Sherman served in the Battle of Stones River and Missionary Ridge, where he led a successful charge. He was captured in 1864, exchanged, and mustered out in 1866 with the rank of brigadier general. After the war, Sherman ran a sugar plantation in Louisiana for one year and returned to Chicago, where he was postmaster, 1867-1868, and a manufacturer (Sherman, Haley & Co.) of stone and sand products, a business ruined by the fire of 1871.

From the description of Francis Trowbridge Sherman papers, 1849-1894. (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 51971905