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William Tecumseh Sherman was born on a cold day, February 8th, 1820, in Lancaster Ohio. His middle name comes from the name of an Indian chief who had led a battle against a nearby village, and burned it down.
In 1861, he was given charge of the Ohio Brigade of the US army. He stated that 200,000 men would be needed to fight in that region. Several newspapers said that he was crazy, and he was thereby fired from that position. Later, he was proven right, but he did not recieve any apologies.
He later rejoined the army and was given the rank of private. He was put in the front line at the battle of Shiloh, and after surviving and helping Grant win the battle, he was given the position of Major General.
In the Vikisburg campaign, Sherman helped Grant out in a major way. He covered up the fact that Grant was an alcoholic, and a womanizer. At the end, he credited all his doings to Grant. When, as a result of this campaign, Grant was given position of Major Commander of the entire United States, he gave his former job, commander of the west, to Sherman.
On May 6, 1864, he gathered troops in Chattanooga Tennesee, and led them down to Atlanta, with only Matches, salt, axes, and rations. When the tired troops got to Atlanta, they fired cannons on the city for 35 days. They then recieved orders to burn down every house that wasn't already on fire. After a few days, every building in atlanta was composed of ash. The entire population had fled. Sherman allowed a few days for the troops to rest, before realizing that there were no more rations left. He devided the troops into 6 main groups, and led them on a 400 mile trip to the ocean. They were told to pick up anything useful, and to burn anything else. After the Historic 'March to the Sea' there was a 60 mile wide path of utter destruction and ruin.
At the ocean, the troops recieved supplies to use and food to eat. They were then led to the cities of Blackwell and Bamberg. From there, they broke into the initial six groups, and met next in Columbia, South Carolina, Where they once again caused horrifying damage and mass destruction. They then poured salt over the fields, making some places unfurtile for up to twenty years.
The troops then split up again, this time into three groups. one was to demolish the railroad tracks, and the other two were told to head for Raleigh, North Carolina. There they met, and burned down another city. They then were allowed several days of rest.
Some people set off for Durham, (my home town). There, they came upon a large warehouse full of brightleaf tobacco, which was new, and could only be grown in the red clay of North Carolina. In 15 minutes, they cleared the warehouse, and rolled their own cigarettes. Mr. Green, the factory owner, was left broke, and without any stock. But later, after the war, he recieved several letters requesting his tobacco. He then became the richest tobacco seller in the nation. His tobacco is still famous. The baseball team "Durham Bulls" was named after the logo engraved on his cigars.
" I am tired and sick of War. It's glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have never fired a shot nor heard the shreaks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is Hell! "
William Sherman died in 1891 of unknown causes.
Later, Sherman became the namesake of many things, including:
The General Sherman tank Click for picture
The General Sherman tree - which is the largest tree in the world, measuring 52,500 cubic feet. Which is located in Sequoia national park Click for picture
1861
1864
Private
Shiloh
Vikisburg Campaign
Durham
Atlanta
Raleigh
Sherman Died
Sherman was Born
Commander of the West
Ocean
"War is Hell" Speech
Ohio Bregade
Vote on whether Sherman was Good or Bad
William Sherman Crossword Puzzle!
