Changes

==Civil War==

==Civil War==

===Early stages===

===Early stages===

Sherman initially was unenthusiastic for the war, only applying for an officer's commission when three-year volunteers were called for in May 1861. He was appointed Colonel in the [[US Army]] (instead of Colonel of volunteers) and quickly rose to the command of a brigade, participating in the first battle of [[First Battle of Bull Run|Bull Run]]. Sherman's performance in that battle was judged above-average (although his brigade joined the general Union rout), and he was sent as second-in command to the Department of the Cumberland, focusing on [[Kentucky]]. Upon the resignation of his commander on medical grounds, Sherman became commander of the Department. He may have suffered a mental breakdown; newspapers rumored he was "crazy" for vastly overstating the enemy strength and the amount of Union troops required to successfully campaign in his Department. Sherman was releived of independent command by Don Carlos Buell, was granted a leave of absence, and returned to St. Louis as a subordinate of [[Henry Wager Halleck]].

Sherman initially was unenthusiastic for the war, only applying for an officer's commission when three-year volunteers were called for in May 1861. He was appointed Colonel in the [[US Army]] (instead of Colonel of volunteers) and quickly rose to the command of a brigade, participating in the first battle of [[First Battle of Bull Run|Bull Run]]. Sherman's performance in that battle was judged above-average (although his brigade joined the general Union rout), and he was sent as second-in command to the Department of the Cumberland, focusing on [[Kentucky]]. Upon the resignation of his commander on medical grounds, Sherman became commander of the Department. He may have suffered a mental breakdown; newspapers rumored he was "crazy" for vastly overstating the enemy strength and the amount of Union troops required to successfully campaign in his Department. Sherman was relieved of independent command by Don Carlos Buell, was granted a leave of absence, and returned to St. Louis as a subordinate of [[Henry Wager Halleck]].

===1862===

===1862===

During [[Ulysses S. Grant]]'s campaign against Forts Henry and Donelson, the Confederate strongpoints defending the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, Sherman was appointed commander of Paducah, Kentucky, and was responsible for sending supplies and reinforcements to Grant. There he built himself a division, which he took to the field in time to participate in the [[battle of Shiloh]].  

During [[Ulysses S. Grant]]'s campaign against Forts Henry and Donelson, the Confederate strong-points defending the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, Sherman was appointed commander of Paducah, Kentucky, and was responsible for sending supplies and reinforcements to Grant. There he built himself a division, which he took to the field in time to participate in the [[battle of Shiloh]].  

As that battle began on the early morning of April 6, 1862, Sherman was the ranking officer on the field; his immediate superior Grant was at Savannah. The Confederates surprised the Union forces, and Sherman and Grant were blamed for that debacle. Sherman rallied his troops, stabilizing his part of the Union line and slowly retreating in the face of the fierce Confederate attack. He was praised for his performance by Grant and theater commander Halleck, and was promoted to major general of volunteers on May 1, 1862.

As that battle began on the early morning of April 6, 1862, Sherman was the ranking officer on the field; his immediate superior Grant was at Savannah. The Confederates surprised the Union forces, and Sherman and Grant were blamed for that debacle. Sherman rallied his troops, stabilizing his part of the Union line and slowly retreating in the face of the fierce Confederate attack. He was praised for his performance by Grant and theater commander Halleck, and was promoted to major general of volunteers on May 1, 1862.

When Grant assumed command of the Army of the Tennessee, he set out to conquer Vicksburg, [[Mississippi]], one of the last few Confederate positions on the [[Mississippi River]]. Grant decided to attack Vicksburg over land from the northeast, and Sherman was sent on a diversionary attack down the Mississippi. When Grant's part of the operation failed, Sherman faced the Confederate defenders alone and suffered a bloody repulse at the battle of Chickasaw Bayou on December 29, 1862 when he launched a frontal attack against Confederates in heavily entrenched positions.

When Grant assumed command of the Army of the Tennessee, he set out to conquer Vicksburg, [[Mississippi]], one of the last few Confederate positions on the [[Mississippi River]]. Grant decided to attack Vicksburg over land from the northeast, and Sherman was sent on a diversionary attack down the Mississippi. When Grant's part of the operation failed, Sherman faced the Confederate defenders alone and suffered a bloody repulse at the battle of Chickasaw Bayou on December 29, 1862 when he launched a frontal attack against Confederates in heavily entrenched positions.

Sherman then came under the command of political general John A. McClernand, whom he persuaded to launch an attack on Arkansas Post, a Confedereate stronghold on the lower Arkansas River which had been used to harass Union shipping on the Mississippi. The attack, carried out with overwhelming force and in conjunction with Union gunboats, was a complete success, with 5,000 confederates taken prisoner.  

Sherman then came under the command of political general John A. McClernand, whom he persuaded to launch an attack on Arkansas Post, a Confederate stronghold on the lower Arkansas River which had been used to harass Union shipping on the Mississippi. The attack, carried out with overwhelming force and in conjunction with Union gunboats, was a complete success, with 5,000 confederates taken prisoner.  

When Grand reasserted his command, operations against Vicksburg continued. During the first months of 1863, Grant tried several schemes to put steamboats below Vicksburg while avoiding its powerful batteries commanding the Mississippi. Sherman's troops were sent on expeditions to find and secure a navigable waterway through the maze of tributaries and bayous north of Vicksburg. The Confederates stymied these efforts by obstructing the narrow rivers.

When Grand reasserted his command, operations against Vicksburg continued. During the first months of 1863, Grant tried several schemes to put steamboats below Vicksburg while avoiding its powerful batteries commanding the Mississippi. Sherman's troops were sent on expeditions to find and secure a navigable waterway through the maze of tributaries and bayous north of Vicksburg. The Confederates stymied these efforts by obstructing the narrow rivers.

Sherman joined Grant's main army after Vicksburg had been invested. His troops participated in the assaults on Vicksburg on May 19 and May 22, but without success. Siege operations were begun. When Johnston returned to the Union rear, Sherman's forces were detached to check this threat. Both Sherman and Johnston avoided a major engagement until after the fall of Vicksburg on July 4. Then Grant heavily reinforced Sherman, who was able to drive Johnston away, recapturing Jackson in the process. Sherman destroyed Jackson's military infrastructure and public buildings, but did not pursue Johnston's army any further.

Sherman joined Grant's main army after Vicksburg had been invested. His troops participated in the assaults on Vicksburg on May 19 and May 22, but without success. Siege operations were begun. When Johnston returned to the Union rear, Sherman's forces were detached to check this threat. Both Sherman and Johnston avoided a major engagement until after the fall of Vicksburg on July 4. Then Grant heavily reinforced Sherman, who was able to drive Johnston away, recapturing Jackson in the process. Sherman destroyed Jackson's military infrastructure and public buildings, but did not pursue Johnston's army any further.

Meanwhile the Union Army of the Cumberland had been defeated by Confederate general [[Braxton Bragg]] at the battle of Chickamauga and had been invested in Chattanooga. When the Army of the Cumberland's commander showed a lack of aggressiveness and self-confidence, Grant was appointed commander of all Union armies in the western theater, and he set out to relieve the siege of Chattanooga and deal with Bragg. Sherman succeeded Grant in command of the Army of the Tennesse, and his troops were sent to Chattanooga; in the battle of Chattanooga on November 25, they were supposed to crush the Confederate left flank, but failed to make much progress until the Confederate center crumbled to a determined assault by the Army of the Cumberland. In the aftermath, Sherman was dispatched to Knoxville to relieve yet another besieged Union army.

Meanwhile the Union Army of the Cumberland had been defeated by Confederate general [[Braxton Bragg]] at the battle of Chickamauga and had been invested in Chattanooga. When the Army of the Cumberland's commander showed a lack of aggressiveness and self-confidence, Grant was appointed commander of all Union armies in the western theater, and he set out to relieve the siege of Chattanooga and deal with Bragg. Sherman succeeded Grant in command of the Army of the Tennessee, and his troops were sent to Chattanooga; in the battle of Chattanooga on November 25, they were supposed to crush the Confederate left flank, but failed to make much progress until the Confederate center crumbled to a determined assault by the Army of the Cumberland. In the aftermath, Sherman was dispatched to Knoxville to relieve yet another besieged Union army.

By early 1864, Sherman was back in his assigned theater on the Mississippi. In order to stop Confederate attacks on Union shipping and to deny the Confederates the use of central Mississippi's resources, he set out on a army-sized raid to Meridian, capturing the town on February 14. Sherman proceeded to destroy railways and military infrastructure in the vicinity, a small-scale test of the methods he would later employ on his [[Sherman's March through Georgia|March to the Sea]].

By early 1864, Sherman was back in his assigned theater on the Mississippi. In order to stop Confederate attacks on Union shipping and to deny the Confederates the use of central Mississippi's resources, he set out on a army-sized raid to Meridian, capturing the town on February 14. Sherman proceeded to destroy railways and military infrastructure in the vicinity, a small-scale test of the methods he would later employ on his [[Sherman's March through Georgia|March to the Sea]].

===Atlanta Campaign===

===Atlanta Campaign===

When Grant was promoted to general in chief, Sherman succeeded him to command of the western theater. Under Grant's plans for 1864, Sherman was to defeat the remnants of Bragg's army, by now commanded by Joseph E. Johnston, reinforced and reorganized. Johnston hat taken a powerful defensive position at Dalton in north [[Georgia]], defending the railway from Chattanooga to Atlanta. In a campaign of manoeuver, Sherman repeatedly outflanked Johnston and forced him to retreat from several entrenched positions, driving him out of the mountains of northern Georgia and back towards Atlanta. While skirmishing was heavy throughout the campaign, Sherman mostly avoided all-out assaults, with the exception of the battle of Kenesaw Mountain on June 27, 1864, where Sherman believed Johnston had overextended his forces. The Union attack was repulsed with heavy losses, though. Thus, Sherman returned to outflanking Johnston.

When Grant was promoted to general in chief, Sherman succeeded him to command of the western theater. Under Grant's plans for 1864, Sherman was to defeat the remnants of Bragg's army, by now commanded by Joseph E. Johnston, reinforced and reorganized. Johnston hat taken a powerful defensive position at Dalton in north [[Georgia]], defending the railway from Chattanooga to Atlanta. In a campaign of maneuver, Sherman repeatedly outflanked Johnston and forced him to retreat from several entrenched positions, driving him out of the mountains of northern Georgia and back towards Atlanta. While skirmishing was heavy throughout the campaign, Sherman mostly avoided all-out assaults, with the exception of the battle of Kennesaw Mountain on June 27, 1864, where Sherman believed Johnston had overextended his forces. The Union attack was repulsed with heavy losses, though. Thus, Sherman returned to outflanking Johnston.

By July 17, Confederate President [[Jefferson Davis]] had lost patience with Johnston: Davis believed Johnston would not stop retreating and give up Atlanta without a determined effort to hold the valuable railroad junction. He relieved Johnston and transferred Confederate command to the more aggressive [[John Bell Hood]].  When Sherman, who respected Johnston and his style of warfare, learnt of the change, he was elated: A battle in the open (or even with the Confederates attacking Union entrenchments) would suit his army, which outnumbered the Confederates about 1.5:1, well. Indeed Hood launched several attacks on Sherman, but he was repulsed at the battle of Peachtree Creek on July 20, the battle of Atlanta on July 22 and the battle of Ezra Church on July 28 with heavy losses. Sherman failed to completely invest Atlanta and cut the railroad lines supplying Hood's forces, though. During August, Sherman besieged Atlanta, trying to extend his lines to a point which would allow him to cut the railroads. He finally succeeded on August 31 when his forces defeated a detachment of two corps under Confederate general Hardee at the battle of Jonesborough; Hood evacuated Atlanta, which was occupied by Union troops on September 2. Sherman evicted the inhabitants of Atlanta and turned the city into a supply depot.

By July 17, Confederate President [[Jefferson Davis]] had lost patience with Johnston: Davis believed Johnston would not stop retreating and give up Atlanta without a determined effort to hold the valuable railroad junction. He relieved Johnston and transferred Confederate command to the more aggressive [[John Bell Hood]].  When Sherman, who respected Johnston and his style of warfare, learned of the change, he was elated: A battle in the open (or even with the Confederates attacking Union entrenchments) would suit his army, which outnumbered the Confederates about 1.5:1, well. Indeed Hood launched several attacks on Sherman, but he was repulsed at the battle of Peachtree Creek on July 20, the battle of Atlanta on July 22 and the battle of Ezra Church on July 28 with heavy losses. Sherman failed to completely invest Atlanta and cut the railroad lines supplying Hood's forces, though. During August, Sherman besieged Atlanta, trying to extend his lines to a point which would allow him to cut the railroads. He finally succeeded on August 31 when his forces defeated a detachment of two corps under Confederate general Hardee at the battle of Jones borough; Hood evacuated Atlanta, which was occupied by Union troops on September 2. Sherman evicted the inhabitants of Atlanta and turned the city into a supply depot.

While Union and Confederate losses during the campaign were roughly equal, Sherman had started with a larger army, had received reinforcements and by now outnumbered Hood more than two to one.

While Union and Confederate losses during the campaign were roughly equal, Sherman had started with a larger army, had received reinforcements and by now outnumbered Hood more than two to one.

===March to the Sea===

===March to the Sea===

Grant wanted Sherman to finish off Hood, but Sherman preferred to strike at the heart of the Confederacy. Sherman managed to convince both Grant and President Lincoln. Thus, whe Hood marched north on his ill-fated Tennessee campaign, Sherman sent his most trusted subordinate, general George H. Thomas, and large reinforcements to Nashville to deal with Hood while he took about 60,000 Union veterans on his [[Sherman's March through Georgia|March to the Sea]] from Atlanta to [[Savannah]], living off the land, destroying Confederate infrastructure and generally demonstrating that the Condfederate forces were unable to protect their citizens from the ravages of war. Some Confederate cavalry was the only force to oppose him until he reached the coast, and it proved barely a hindrance to Sherman's colums. Savannah was captured on December 21, just in time for Sherman to present it to Lincoln as a "Christmas present".  

Grant wanted Sherman to finish off Hood, but Sherman preferred to strike at the heart of the Confederacy. Sherman managed to convince both Grant and President Lincoln. Thus, when Hood marched north on his ill-fated Tennessee campaign, Sherman sent his most trusted subordinate, general George H. Thomas, and large reinforcements to Nashville to deal with Hood while he took about 60,000 Union veterans on his [[Sherman's March through Georgia|March to the Sea]] from Atlanta to [[Savannah]], living off the land, destroying Confederate infrastructure and generally demonstrating that the Confederate forces were unable to protect their citizens from the ravages of war. Some Confederate cavalry was the only force to oppose him until he reached the coast, and it proved barely a hindrance to Sherman's columns. Savannah was captured on December 21, just in time for Sherman to present it to Lincoln as a "Christmas present".  

===Carolinas campaign and end of war===

===Carolinas campaign and end of war===

==After the Civil War==

==After the Civil War==

Sherman was promoted to [[Lieutenant General]] and served in the western United states, supervising Army operations against the Plains Indinans.

Sherman was promoted to [[Lieutenant General]] and served in the western United states, supervising Army operations against the Plains Indians.

When Grant became [[President of the United States of America|President]], Sherman succeeded him as Commanding General of the United States Army. He held that post until November 1, 1883, and retired from the army on February 8, 1884. He was proposed as REpublican candidate for the 1884 presidential elections, but he declined empathically. He moved to New York City and died there on February 14, 1891. Joseph E. Johnston served as pallbearer for the funeral procession. Despite the cold weather Johnston refused to wear a hat out of respect for his former adversary. Johnston contracted pneumonia and died one month later.

When Grant became [[President of the United States of America|President]], Sherman succeeded him as Commanding General of the United States Army. He held that post until November 1, 1883, and retired from the army on February 8, 1884.  

 

He was proposed as Republican candidate for the 1884 presidential elections, but he declined emphatically, saying "If nominated I will not run; if elected I will not serve." This "Sherman Statement" has become the formula to use if one really does not want to run for office.

 

He moved to New York City and died there on February 14, 1891. Joseph E. Johnston served as pallbearer for the funeral procession. Despite the cold weather Johnston refused to wear a hat out of respect for his former adversary. Johnston contracted pneumonia and died one month later.

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

===Primary sources===

===Primary sources===

*Sherman, William T. ''Memoirs of General William T. Sherman'', (1886).  [http://www.questia.com/read/94010122?title=Memoirs%20of%20General%20William%20T.%20Sherman online edition]; [http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_adv_b/?search-alias=stripbooks&unfiltered=1&field-keywords=&field-author=sherman&field-title=memoirs&field-isbn=&field-publisher=&node=9&url=&field-feature_browse-bin=&field-binding_browse-bin=&field-subject=&field-language=&field-dateop=&field-datemod=&field-dateyear=&sort=relevancerank&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=44&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=7 manuy editions in print]

*Sherman, William T. ''Memoirs of General William T. Sherman'', (1886).  [http://www.questia.com/read/94010122?title=Memoirs%20of%20General%20William%20T.%20Sherman online edition]; [http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_adv_b/?search-alias=stripbooks&unfiltered=1&field-keywords=&field-author=sherman&field-title=memoirs&field-isbn=&field-publisher=&node=9&url=&field-feature_browse-bin=&field-binding_browse-bin=&field-subject=&field-language=&field-dateop=&field-datemod=&field-dateyear=&sort=relevancerank&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=44&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=7 many editions in print]

* Simpson, Brooks, ed. ''Sherman's Civil War: Selected Correspondence of William T. Sherman, 1860-1865'' (1999) [http://www.amazon.com/Shermans-Civil-War-Correspondence-1860-1865/dp/0807824402/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259389147&sr=1-7 excerpt and text search]

* Simpson, Brooks, ed. ''Sherman's Civil War: Selected Correspondence of William T. Sherman, 1860-1865'' (1999) [http://www.amazon.com/Shermans-Civil-War-Correspondence-1860-1865/dp/0807824402/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259389147&sr=1-7 excerpt and text search]