Births on February 8

William Tecumseh Sherman, American general (d. 1891)

William Tecumseh Sherman: A Pivotal Figure in American History

William Tecumseh Sherman (pronounced tee-KUM-sə; February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891) was an exceptionally complex and influential American figure. Renowned as a soldier, but also an accomplished businessman, dedicated educator, and insightful author, his legacy is primarily defined by his crucial role as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861–1865).

Sherman garnered significant recognition for his innovative command of military strategy, which often emphasized psychological warfare and the systematic destruction of an enemy's war-making capacity. However, his methods also attracted considerable criticism, particularly for the harshness of the "scorched earth" policies he implemented against the Confederate States. So profound was his influence on military thought that British military theorist and historian B. H. Liddell Hart famously declared Sherman to be "the first modern general," recognizing his pioneering approach to what would later be termed "total war."

Early Life and Pre-War Endeavors

Born in Lancaster, Ohio, into a politically prominent family, Sherman's formative years set him on a path of public service. He pursued a military education, graduating in 1840 from the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point. Following his graduation, he served in various capacities, including the Second Seminole War and the Mexican-American War, though he saw little direct combat during the latter.

In 1853, Sherman temporarily interrupted his military career to venture into the private sector, attempting to establish himself in banking and other business pursuits in California and New York. These endeavors, however, largely proved unsuccessful. He returned to education in 1859, accepting the superintendency of the newly established Louisiana State Seminary of Learning & Military Academy, which would eventually evolve into the prominent Louisiana State University (LSU). His tenure there highlighted his administrative skills, but his unwavering loyalty to the Union led him to resign this position in January 1861, immediately following Louisiana's secession from the United States.

Commanding General of the Union Army: The Civil War Years

Sherman's Civil War service began with immediate challenges and profound strategic importance, particularly in the Western Theater.

Early Campaigns and Partnership with Grant

• First Battle of Bull Run (1861): Sherman commanded a brigade of volunteers at this early and significant engagement, gaining valuable combat experience.
• Transfer to the Western Theater: He was subsequently transferred to Kentucky, a crucial border state, where the immense pressures and his pessimistic outlook on the war's initial prospects led to a period of severe mental strain, sometimes referred to as the "Kentucky Madness," which required him to be briefly put on leave.
• Forging a Crucial Partnership: His recovery and subsequent ascent were significantly aided by forging a close and highly effective partnership with General Ulysses S. Grant. Grant's trust and unwavering support were instrumental in Sherman regaining his confidence and proving his strategic acumen.

Serving under Grant, Sherman played a vital role in a series of pivotal Union victories that significantly turned the tide in the Western Theater in 1862 and 1863:

• Battles of Forts Henry and Donelson (1862): These victories secured crucial waterways and opened up Confederate territory.
• Battle of Shiloh (1862): One of the war's earliest and bloodiest battles, where Sherman demonstrated resilience despite heavy losses.
• Vicksburg Campaign (1863): A masterful series of maneuvers that led to the fall of the heavily fortified Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg on the Mississippi River. This victory effectively split the Confederacy in two, giving the Union control of the entire river.
• Chattanooga Campaign (1863): Culminating in the routing of Confederate armies in Tennessee, this campaign opened the door for Union advances into the Deep South.

The Atlanta Campaign and the March to the Sea

In March 1864, following Grant's promotion to General-in-Chief of all Union armies, Sherman succeeded him as the Union commander in the Western Theater, now tasked with penetrating the Confederate heartland.

• Capture of Atlanta (September 1864): Sherman's Atlanta Campaign was a grueling series of flanking maneuvers and battles that ultimately led to the capture of the strategically vital city of Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta was a critical railway hub and industrial center for the Confederacy, and its fall delivered a devastating blow to Southern morale. This significant military success also provided a much-needed boost to Northern morale and contributed directly to the re-election of President Abraham Lincoln in November 1864, solidifying the Union's political will to continue the war.
• Sherman's March to the Sea (November-December 1864): Following Atlanta's capture, Sherman initiated his infamous "March to the Sea," a systematic advance across Georgia to Savannah. This was not a campaign of major battles but rather a deliberate policy of large-scale destruction aimed at undermining the Confederacy's ability and willingness to continue fighting. His troops destroyed railroads (creating "Sherman's neckties" by heating and twisting rails), burned cotton plantations, ransacked factories, and destroyed other infrastructure. While often viewed as a brutal act, the destruction was strategically intended to cripple the Southern economy, destroy civilian support for the war, and demonstrate the Confederacy's inability to protect its own territory, thereby breaking its will to resist.
• Campaign of the Carolinas (January-April 1865): After seizing Savannah, Sherman continued his devastating march northward through the Carolinas, applying similar scorched earth tactics. The destruction in South Carolina, seen as the hotbed of secession, was particularly severe.

Confederate Surrender and Post-War Adjustments

In April 1865, as the Civil War drew to a close, Sherman accepted the surrender of all Confederate armies under General Joseph E. Johnston in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. The initial surrender terms he negotiated with Johnston, however, were considered too lenient by U.S. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. These terms, which included political concessions beyond military surrender, were swiftly rejected by Washington. Consequently, General Grant ordered Sherman to modify them to align with the more unconditional surrender terms that Grant himself had offered to Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House, focusing solely on military capitulation.

Post-War Leadership and Legacy

Sherman's distinguished career did not end with the Civil War. When Ulysses S. Grant became President of the United States in March 1869, Sherman succeeded his trusted comrade as the Commanding General of the Army.

• Commanding General of the Army (1869-1883): Sherman served in this capacity for fourteen years, a period that saw the U.S. Army heavily engaged in the Indian Wars on the Western frontier. He oversaw campaigns against various Native American tribes, a controversial aspect of his legacy reflecting the nation's expansionist policies of the era.
• Political Disengagement: Despite his immense popularity and influence, Sherman steadfastly refused to be drawn into party politics, famously stating, "If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve."
• Published Memoirs: In 1875, he published his highly influential autobiography, Memoirs of General William T. Sherman. This work quickly became one of the best-known and most valuable first-hand accounts of the American Civil War, offering unparalleled insights into Union strategy, logistics, and the psyche of a commanding general.

William Tecumseh Sherman retired from the army in 1884. His legacy remains complex and debated, revered by some for his strategic brilliance and decisive contributions to Union victory, and reviled by others for the brutality of his methods. He undoubtedly played a pivotal role in shaping both the outcome of the Civil War and the nature of modern warfare.

Frequently Asked Questions About William Tecumseh Sherman

What was William Tecumseh Sherman primarily known for?

William Tecumseh Sherman is primarily known for his exceptional military strategy and his command as a Union Army general during the American Civil War. He is particularly famous, and controversial, for implementing "scorched earth" policies, such as his devastating "March to the Sea."

Why was Sherman referred to as the "first modern general"?

Military historian B. H. Liddell Hart called Sherman the "first modern general" because he pioneered concepts of total war, which involved targeting an enemy's economic infrastructure and civilian morale, not just its armies. His campaigns emphasized psychological warfare, large-scale logistical operations, and systematic destruction to undermine an adversary's will and capacity to fight.

What was the strategic purpose of Sherman's "March to the Sea"?

The strategic purpose of Sherman's "March to the Sea" (through Georgia) and subsequent campaigns through the Carolinas was not to fight major battles, but to break the Confederacy's ability and will to continue fighting. By systematically destroying critical infrastructure, disrupting supply lines, and demoralizing the civilian population, Sherman aimed to demonstrate the Confederacy's inability to protect its own territory, thereby hastening its surrender.

What role did Sherman play after the Civil War?

After the Civil War, William Tecumseh Sherman succeeded Ulysses S. Grant as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army, serving from 1869 to 1883. In this role, he oversaw the U.S. Army's involvement in the Indian Wars on the Western frontier. He also published his highly regarded memoirs, which became a significant historical account of the Civil War.

Did William Tecumseh Sherman have any connection to Louisiana State University (LSU)?

Yes, before the Civil War, William Tecumseh Sherman served as the first superintendent of the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning & Military Academy from 1859 to 1861. This institution later evolved into Louisiana State University (LSU).