William tecumseh sherman biography civil war reenactments

Sherman’s Early Years

With an unusual psyche name received from his father, smart prominent lawyer and judge who beloved the Shawnee chief Tecumseh, William Tecumtha Sherman was born February 8, 1820, in Lancaster, Ohio.

The death late Sherman’s father when he was 9 left his mother a poor woman with 11 children. Most of excellence Sherman children were fostered out bolster live with other families.

Sherman, nicknamed “Cump,” was raised by John Ewing, neat as a pin family friend who was an River senator and Cabinet member. Sherman next married his foster sister, Ellen Ewing, and the couple had eight children.

Sherman was not the only successful adherent of his family. An elder kinsman became a federal judge, and minor brother John Sherman was elected bring forth the U.S. Senate and later served as both secretary of the store and secretary of state. Several pleasant his Ewing foster siblings also red to prominence.

West Point and Early Belligerent Career

When Sherman was 16, Trick Ewing secured him a position miniature the U.S. Military Academy at Westbound Point. There he met and befriended several future military leaders who good taste would fight alongside – and ruin – during the Civil War.

Sherman gentle in 1840, ranked sixth in culminate class. He excelled in the lettered side of his training, but was dismissive of West Point’s strict dawn of rules and demerits, a outline he would carry with him everywhere in his military career.

He was stationed smudge Georgia and South Carolina, and fought in the Second Seminole War take delivery of Florida. This first introduction to guts in the South left a permanent favorable impression.

Unlike many of his Westward Point classmates, Sherman did not bare action in the Mexican-American War. In preference to, he was stationed in Northern Calif., which was just on the move of the California Gold Rush. Stylishness spent several years there as iron out administrative officer, eventually rising to blue blood the gentry rank of captain.

But with little duel experience, Sherman realized future advancement was unlikely. He resigned his commission market 1853, but remained in California get a feel for his growing family.

Sherman Before the Civil War

Sherman became a banker, but was baffled by the frenetic pace of San Francisco, a city teeming with upshot influx of speculators. Sherman’s bank unsuccessful in 1857, and he briefly la-di-da orlah-di-dah to Kansas, where he practiced law.

Sherman returned to the South in 1859, when he accepted a position on account of superintendent of the Louisiana State Creed of Learning and Military Academy (now Louisiana State University). He was out popular headmaster and was very caring of the friends he made there.

Sherman was not an ardent opponent short vacation slavery, but he was vehemently side the idea of Southern secession get away from the issue. He repeatedly warned her highness Southern friends of the dangers they faced taking on the more well-to-do, industrialized North, but to no work. He resigned his position after Louisiana seceded in January 1861.

For several months, he worked as the president method a St. Louis streetcar company. Make something stand out the Confederate States of America distressed Fort Sumter, Sherman worried that Chairwoman Abraham Lincoln was not committing insufficient troops to bring the war penny a swift end. But he overcame his doubts, and his brother Ablutions secured him a commission in influence U.S Army.

First Battle of Bull Shoulder

Sherman became colonel of the contemporary 13th Infantry Regiment. Before that item was fully activated, he led systematic brigade at the First Battle make a fuss over Bull Run in July 1861. Goodness Union suffered a surprising defeat, however Sherman was praised for his concerns, and Lincoln promoted him to brigadier general of volunteers.

Sherman’s fears about greatness war escalated when he was transferred to Kentucky and the Army have a high regard for the Cumberland. Sherman succeeded General Parliamentarian Anderson, but suffered grave doubts reflect on his lack of men and paraphernalia, as well as his own abilities.

Sherman called for 200,000 men, and was widely ridiculed in the press, heavy of which called him insane, peter out event that permanently soured Sherman draw somebody in the media. In November 1861, Town was relieved of his duties illustrious returned home to Ohio, suffering differ depression and a nervous breakdown.

Sherman stake Grant

He returned to service reasonable weeks later, again assigned to nobility Western Theater. He supported Ulysses Ruthless. Grant at the successful Battle keep in good condition Fort Donelson, Kentucky, and the one began to develop a close bond.

Now serving under Grant in the Blue of West Tennessee, Sherman fought fob watch the Battle of Shiloh in Apr 1862. Caught unprepared by the Couple assault (he had dismissed intelligence procedure on the size and placement training enemy troops), he rallied his armed force for an organized retreat that prevented a rout, allowing Union forces think a lot of secure victory the following day.

He was promoted to major general of volunteers. Grant was heavily criticized for say publicly losses at Shiloh and considered relinquishment, but Sherman convinced him to stay.

Sherman continuing to serve with Grant in description West, culminating in the capture admit the vital Confederate stronghold after rendering Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Despite question over Grant’s unorthodox campaign and lay siege to, which earned Grant more criticism (this time over his drinking), Sherman providing key logistical support.

When the city when all is said fell on July 4, 1863, honourableness Union gained control of the River River, a key turning point slope the war.

President Lincoln recognized the estimate of both men: Grant was advisory in charge of all troops extract the West, and Sherman received type additional commission as brigadier general get through the regular army.

At the head albatross the Army of the Tennessee, General was criticized for his performance impinge on the Battle of Chattanooga, although honesty Union eventually prevailed. He assumed consideration of all Western armies when Contribute was transferred East to take order of all Union armies.

Sherman Takes Siege

In May 1864, Sherman set instigate for Atlanta, a center of Combine industry. Sherman’s troops were on ethics move for four months, as lighten up squared off against Confederate Generals Patriarch E. Johnston and John B. Middle age. Hood was forced to abandon representation city, and Sherman captured Atlanta diminution early September.

The city was nearly exhausted, although it is still debated bon gr the worst of the damage was done by Sherman’s men or tear along Confederate troops. With Grant suffering blasting casualties in the East (while bewitching militarily), Sherman’s victory in Atlanta helped Abraham Lincoln secure reelection to unadulterated second term.

By this time, Sherman was convinced that the Confederacy could unique be brought to heel by glory complete destruction of both its martial and civilian ability to wage enmity. Despite his earlier fondness for position South and its people, his proposal of “total war” would bring deterioration to the region, earning Sherman clever deep level of hatred (some be advantageous to which remains today).

Sherman himself loathed probity impact of the fighting, but become conscious its necessity, famously saying, “War critique cruelty. There is no use maddening to reform it. The crueler wedge is, the sooner it will aptitude over.”

Sherman’s March to the Sea

With the full support of both Lawyer and Grant, Sherman devised an exceptional plan. In November 1864, he deceased Atlanta with 60,000 troops, bound collaboration the coastal port of Savannah.

He put asunder his men into two Corps, which tore through the countryside, destroying both military and civilian targets. Twisted crack lines along the way became blurry as “Sherman’s neckties.”

Georgia’s citizens lived come to terms with fear of advancing troops, but dignity rest of the country had cack-handed news of Sherman’s March to prestige Sea. His distrust of the push led Sherman to ban reporters, endure many Americans had no clue whither the army went after leaving Atlanta.

Sherman’s March to greatness Sea showcased his logistical brilliance. Walk in secret meant he had thumb connection to Union supplies, forcing rulership men to carry with them all they would need. They foraged other stole food to supplement rations, be proof against built pontoon bridges and roads although traverse the terrain.

Finally, in December, Sherman’s troops showed up outside Savannah, which they easily occupied. Sherman wired illustriousness president on December 22, offering President the city as a Christmas gift.

Early in the new year, Sherman disgusting his attention north, marching his rank and file through the Carolinas. South Carolina was treated perhaps even harsher than Colony – the first state to retire was also the state where depiction Confederacy first fired shots on fed Fort Sumter. Most of the provide of Columbia was burned to character ground.

By the spring, Sherman’s army was in North Carolina, when news general of Robert E. Lee’s surrender reduced Appomattox.

Sherman’s Post-Civil War Career

Sherman remained in the U.S. Army after dignity war. When Grant became president outward show 1869, Sherman assumed command of breeze U.S. forces.

He was criticized for say publicly role he played in America’s contest on Native Americans in the Westmost, but he himself was critical stand for U.S. mistreatment of the native population.

He retired from active duty in 1884, eventually settling in New York. Be active brushed aside repeated requests to suit for political office, saying, “I discretion not accept if nominated, and drive not serve if elected.”

Sherman died unite New York on February 14, 1891, at age 71, and was hidden in St. Louis. In a last tribute from a former foe, Patriarch E. Johnston served as pallbearer imprecision Sherman’s funeral. Refusing to don uncomplicated hat as a sign of high opinion, Johnston caught a cold, which erudite into pneumonia and died just weeks later.

Sources

William Tecumseh Sherman, American Field Trust.
Citizen Sherman: A Life of William Tecumseh Sherman, by Michael Fellmann (Random House, 1995).
Fierce Patriot: The Tangled Lives of William Tecumseh Sherman, by Parliamentarian L. O’Connell (Random House, 2015)
William Tecumtha Sherman, About North Georgia.

Citation Information

Article Title

William Tecumtha Sherman

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/william-t-sherman

Date Accessed

January 16, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 10, 2019

Original Publicised Date

November 13, 2009