William Tecumseh Sherman

William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891) was a distinguished American general, born, the son of a judge, in Lancaster, Ohio. He served first in service as a lieutenant of artillery in the Indian frontier wars in Florida and California. He resigned from the army in 1853, and set up as a banker in San Francisco, but at the outbreak of the Civil War accepted a colonelcy in the Federalist ranks. He distinguished himself at the battles of Bull Run (1861) and Shiloh (1862).

Sherman received promotion, and as second in command to Grant rendered valuable service in reducing Vicksburg and Memphis. He was present at the victory of Chattanooga, and during 1864 entered into command of the SW. He captured the stronghold of Atlanta, and after a famous march seaward with 65,000 men took Savannah, which he followed up with a series of victories in the Carolinas, receiving, on 26th April 1865, the surrender of General Johnston, which brought the war to a close. He was created general and commander-in-chief of the army in 1869, a position he held till 1869. He also published memoirs of his military life.

Wisdom & Quotes

• Hold the fort! I am coming.

- message to Gen John M Corse, October 5, 1864

• Vox populi, vox humbug.

- letter to his wife, June 2, 1863

• I will not accept if nominated, and will not serve if elected.

- telegram to Republican National Convention, 1884

• War is hell.

- attributed, graduation speech at the Michigan Military Academy, 1879

• There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is all hell.

- speech, Columbus, Ohio, 1880

• War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it.

- letter to James M Calhoun, September 12, 1864

Herbert Spencer