August 2, 1861 (Friday): The "Other Sherman" Plans an Expedition

General Thomas W. Sherman

 UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.
WAR DEPARTMENT, August 2, 1861.

Brigadier General THOMAS W. SHERMAN:

GENERAL: You will proceed to New York immediately and organize, in connection with Captain DuPont, of the Navy, an expedition of 12,000 men. Its destination you and the naval commander will determine after you have sailed. You should sail at the earliest possible moment.

THOMAS A. SCOTT,
Assistant Secretary of War.

AUGUST 2, 1861.

Approved:

A. LINCOLN.
WAR DEPARTMENT

Official Records, Series I, Vol. 6, Part 1, Page 168

This is the inception of what would turn into, in late October, the Port Royal Sound Expedition.  The Sherman referenced here is Thomas West Sherman of Rhode Island, a Mexican War veteran, and no relation to William T. Sherman.  This Sherman was a capable general, but too "regular army" to effectively lead volunteer forces.