In this letter to Philander P. Claxton, Irwin Shepard (Secretary of the National Education Association) mentions an upcoming meeting in Denver and describes his service at the Battle of Fort Sanders during the Civil War. He tells Claxton that Knoxville, and especially the grounds of the University of Tennessee, hold a sacred place in his memory and recalls serving on the Fort's parapet during the battle, helping to collect the dead and wounded, and participating in a burning party that destroyed Judge Reese's house. Shepard closes by speculating that Ft. Sanders is practically obliterated and observing that it is a pity and a shame that it was not preserved as a park.