General William Sherman – Civil War Hero & Indian Fighter
William Tecumseh Sherman, a figure etched in the annals of American history, embodied a complex blend of military prowess, strategic acumen, and controversial policies. His life spanned pivotal periods in the nation’s development, from the expansionist fervor of the mid-19th century to the tumultuous years of the Civil War and the subsequent conflicts with Native American tribes in the West. Sherman was a soldier, businessman, educator, and author, but it was his role as a general in the Union Army during the Civil War and his subsequent leadership in the Indian Wars that solidified his place in history, albeit a place marked by both admiration and condemnation. This article delves into the life and career of General William Sherman, exploring his multifaceted contributions and the lasting impact of his actions.
Born on February 8, 1820, in Lancaster, Ohio, Tecumseh Sherman (later known as William) entered a world already poised on the cusp of dramatic change. He was one of eleven children born to Judge Charles Robert Sherman and Mary Hoyt Sherman. Tragedy struck early in Sherman’s life when his father passed away when he was only nine years old. This event significantly altered the course of his upbringing. Young William was taken in and raised by a family friend, Senator Thomas Ewing, who provided him with stability and opportunities that might otherwise have been unavailable. This early exposure to the political sphere undoubtedly shaped Sherman’s understanding of power and influence, factors that would later prove crucial in his military career. At the age of 16, he embarked on a path that would define his life, entering the prestigious Military Academy at West Point.
West Point provided Sherman with a rigorous education and instilled in him the values of discipline, leadership, and strategic thinking. He graduated in 1840 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. His early military service exposed him to the realities of warfare and the challenges of frontier life. He saw action in the Second Seminole War (1840-1842), a conflict marked by brutal conditions and guerilla tactics. Later, he served in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), further honing his skills and gaining valuable experience in commanding troops. These early experiences shaped his understanding of military strategy and the human cost of conflict. The early military career of General William Sherman would prove formative to his later success.
However, Sherman’s career path was not solely confined to the military. In 1853, he resigned his commission and ventured into the world of business, becoming president of a bank in San Francisco, California. This decision reflected a desire for financial stability and a departure from the uncertainties of military life. Unfortunately, the bank failed during the financial panic of 1857, leaving Sherman disillusioned and financially strained. He then attempted to practice law in Leavenworth, Kansas, but this venture also proved unsuccessful. These experiences provided him with a unique perspective on the economic forces shaping the nation, an understanding that would later inform his military strategies. The professional life of General William Sherman was varied and dynamic.
In 1859, Sherman accepted a position as the first superintendent of the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy (now Louisiana State University). This role allowed him to combine his military experience with his interest in education. He instilled in his students the values of discipline, leadership, and strategic thinking, preparing them for the challenges that lay ahead. However, his tenure at the academy was cut short by the outbreak of the Civil War. Despite his personal connections to the South, Sherman remained loyal to the Union. On May 14, 1861, he accepted a commission as a Colonel in the 13th U.S. Infantry regiment, marking his return to military service and setting the stage for his pivotal role in the war.
The Civil War provided General William Sherman with the opportunity to demonstrate his exceptional military capabilities. He led a brigade in the First Battle of Manassas, Virginia, a Union defeat that highlighted the challenges facing the nascent Union Army. In August 1861, he was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers and sent to Kentucky, a strategically important border state. In October, he was placed in command of the Department of the Cumberland, but his tenure was short-lived, as he was transferred to the Department of the Missouri in November. Despite these initial challenges, Sherman’s star was on the rise.
Sherman distinguished himself as a division commander at the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, in April 1862. His performance in this bloody and hard-fought battle earned him a promotion to major general in May 1862. After the occupation of Memphis, he took command of the District of Memphis from October through December 1862, further solidifying his reputation as a capable and effective leader.
After a setback at Chickasaw Bayou, Mississippi, Sherman played a key role in the capture of Arkansas Post. When General Ulysses S. Grant assumed supreme command in the West, Sherman became commander of the Army of the Tennessee. He commanded the Union left in the Chattanooga campaign, a series of battles that secured Union control of the strategic city of Chattanooga, before moving to Knoxville to relieve General Burnside.
In March 1864, when Grant became Commanding General of the Union Army, Sherman succeeded him as supreme commander in the West. This appointment marked a turning point in the war. Sherman launched his Atlanta campaign, a series of battles and maneuvers aimed at capturing the vital Confederate city of Atlanta. The campaign culminated in the fall of Atlanta on September 2, 1864, a major victory for the Union and a significant blow to the Confederacy.
Following the capture of Atlanta, Sherman embarked on his infamous "march to the sea." With 60,000 men, he marched through Georgia, destroying infrastructure and crippling the Confederate war effort. Savannah, Georgia, fell on December 21, 1864. The march was intended to break the will of the Confederacy and demonstrate the futility of continued resistance. While effective in achieving its military objectives, the march was also highly controversial due to the widespread destruction it caused. The actions of General William Sherman during his march to the sea are still debated.
In February 1865, Sherman began marching northward through South Carolina, continuing his campaign of destruction. In North Carolina, General Joseph E. Johnston opposed Sherman in engagements at Averasboro and Bentonville, but Johnston surrendered to Sherman after hearing of General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. Sherman’s relentless pursuit and strategic brilliance played a crucial role in bringing the Civil War to an end.
After the Civil War, General Ulysses S. Grant promoted Sherman first to Lieutenant General in 1866 and then to Commanding General of the U.S. Army in 1869, when Grant became President. In this role, Sherman focused on securing the West and protecting transcontinental railroad workers from Native American tribes who feared the encroachment on their territory. He established military outposts across the region, expanding the network of federal authority.
Sherman’s approach to dealing with Native Americans was often characterized by a harsh and uncompromising attitude. He believed that Indians should be punished for their perceived atrocities, confined to reservations, and forced to assimilate into American society. He directed a series of campaigns that effectively crushed Indian resistance. He understood the devastating effects of striking at the economic basis of the Plains Indians’ lives, aggressively targeting the buffalo population and attacking Indian encampments during the winter. By the late 1870s, the once free-roaming warrior tribes of the plains had been forced onto reservations, a tragic consequence of Sherman’s policies. The legacy of General William Sherman in the West is complex and controversial.
Sherman retired from the army on February 8, 1884, and spent the remainder of his life in New York City. He died on February 19, 1891, and his body was transported to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was buried in Calvary Cemetery. William Tecumseh Sherman remains a controversial figure in American history. His military genius is undeniable, but his tactics and policies, particularly during the Civil War and the Indian Wars, are subject to ongoing debate and scrutiny. His legacy serves as a reminder of the complexities of war and the enduring impact of historical figures on the shaping of a nation.
