Late last Friday I jumps up to help the development director straightened out the papers on his desk.  Something I know he appreciates, because whenever I lends my paw, Denny is certain to say something like “Oh thanks Sherman, I was just about finished anyway.”  It is important like for me to help out in any way what I can, especially Denny who worries his whiskers about things.

Only this time it was Denny what helped me.  He sez, “Sherm, did you see the package that arrived for you?”  Right away I am trying to remember if I was expecting a parcel or if maybe it was Denny’s way of saying, “Buzz, buster” only polite like. But he wasn’t. There was a package.   And what a package I cannot tell you.  Only I am about to.

WT with Mr Lincoln and Gen'l McClellan

First, there is this letter all flowery handwritin’ from a Miss Lucille, what sez, that she was a great friend of my own grandmother before she passed away and that I “bear a striking resemblance” a family trait, she sez. Miss Lucille wanted to know if I knew of my ancestor of many generations what was sometimes known by the moniker “WT.” Which I was not aware.  And she sends to me this picture along with a page copied from ol’ WT’s journal what sez:

“October 1, 1862

Accompanied Gen’l McClellan to Harper’s Ferry where we met President Lincoln. I refrained, of course, from acknowledging our previous acquaintance when introduced to the Presdt, though quite pleased to see my friend, to enjoy his warm smile and ineffable gentleness once again.

October 3, 1862

Mr. Lincoln visited Gen’l McClellan in camp this day. Awoke from my midmorning repose, disentangled myself from the captured battle ensign kept beneath the Genl’s bed and stretched myself fully only to realize that Cptn Gardner, the photographer, was engaged in recording the Presdt’s visit and had captured my image as well. Given my confidential role in the recently completed campaign, I could not allow this and set myself to disrupt the Scotsman’s work.  I boldly emerged from the tent, tail held aloft.  This challenge caused Gardner great irritation and he made toward me with the obvious intention of bodily removing me from the scene.  I lingered only long enough to allow him to imagine he could catch me, then raced directly to his photographic machine, leapt upon it with a show of great consternation and tipped the device.  As I fled the scene I heard the sound of glass plate shattering as the camera struck the ground.

Satisfied that I had successfully accomplished my purpose, crept back into the Genl’s tent, sat close by Mr. Lincoln to hear what consul he had for the Gen’l.  Mr. Lincoln opened by sharply observing that, “General, you cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today,” to which the Gen’l replied…”

That’s it, end of page.

Me, I am upside down with surprise trying to get my paws on the historical significance.  Miss Lucile, she asks me do I want to see the rest an can I wait because “the journals and memoirs amount to a substantial archive.”  I don’t know that I can, but I has to — wait.

I think I am goin’ to like ol’ WT and this Mr. Lincoln; “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow…” ain’t it true though.

Your buddy,

Sherm

Sherman, the HSWV’s official office cat, made his literary debut in Spring 2003.  His efforts seem to have impressed Miss Lucille.  She recently transferred the archive to his care along with a note expressing her hope that Sherman “make public the interesting parts thereof.”