System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!William Tecumseh Sherman
1820 - 1891
William Tecumseh Sherman, whom some southerners still hate for his destructive march through Georgia during the Civil War, died on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1891. He was 71.
Sherman was born February 8, 1820 in Lancaster, Ohio. His middle name came from an Indian chief who had led lived and fought near Sherman's hometown.
Sherman graduated at the top of his West Point class. He served as superintendent of the Louisiana Military Academy, which later became Louisiana State University.
In 1861, he was appointed commander of Ohio federal troops, but was relieved of command when he it was reported that he said 200,000 volunteers were needed from the state. Military advisors and the press said he was crazy to use such numbers.
Sherman was placed in command of a single division and participated in the Battle of Shiloh in Tennessee in 1862. Afterwards, Sherman was promoted to Major General of volunteers. He assisted General Grant in the taking of Vicksburg, and was given the rank of Brigadier General in the regular army in charge of troops in Tennessee.
Sherman's historical fame stems from the taking of Atlanta and the march to the sea to Savannah in 1864. The infamous 60 mile path of destruction by Sherman's troops resulted in the burning of Atlanta, and the burning and destruction of all possible supplies for Confederate troops for the 400 miles from Atlanta to Savannah.
When Sherman got to Savannah, he sent a telegram to President Abraham Lincoln that he was presenting Savannah to him as a Christmas gift.
Many Georgians to this day still hold Sherman in contempt for his leadership in the destruction his troops wreaked on Georgia in 1864. Sherman said later he was sorry about the destruction, but in one of his famous quotes, he described the nature of conflict by saying that War is Hell.
After the war, Sherman continued his career in the army, and said he would never have political aspirations. He stated that he would neither be a candidate nor accept a draft of the people.
Sherman was promoted to full general shortly before his retirement in 1884.
In February of 1891, Sherman developed a severe cold and a fever. This aggravated his asthmatic condition. This weakened condition, along with his age, caused his death on February 14, 1891 in New York City.
