Does anyone else LOVE Gen. W T Sherman?

Question

I do! He revolutionized the world of military tactics! We may not be the super power we are today without him. Agree?

Answer 1

He was a great man. he could have run for president on two occasions and turned down both opportunties. his words in rejecting the chances for running were classic. here they are:
in 1864 he wrote "if forced to choose between the penitientary and the White house for our years, I would say the penitientary thank you.
In 1884 he sent a telegram to the republican party.stating; "I will notaccept if nominatedand will not serve if elected.
in a private letter toSenator Blaine te eventual candidate he made clear his feelings about the nations highest office: "I... would account myselfa fool, a madman, an ***, to embark anew at 65 years of age in a career which may become at any moment tossed by the perfidy, the defalcation, the dishonesty or neglect of any single one of a hundred thousand subordinates."
He knew enough about politics and politicians to stay away from them He also was a truly fine combat commander. as far as tactics go he was probably the greatest cavalry officer we had. He definitely knew how to deploy his troops during the Civil War and later on in the west during the Indian Wars.
I would also like to add a comment Re: Kermit M's statement about General Cleburne. I agree Cleburne was a fine general but was in the confederate army. He is definitely my pick overall though. If the South had listened to him the war might have lasted a lot longer or would have had a different outcome.

Answer 2

Love is too strong a word for me. My favorite General, CSA Gen. Patrick Cleburne was often Sherman's opponent and bested him on more than one occasion.

That said, Sherman is an amazing man. He knew before anyone else what the cost of the Civil War would be. He also understood that war had to be as terrible as possible in order that Southerners would never again consider it as a means of political leverage.

He was certainly a fine General, but like all generals he made his mistakes as well. He was unprepared at Shiloh, launched futile head on assaults at Tunnel Hill and Kennesaw Mountain and owed much of his success at Atlanta to the lunatic assaults of John Bell Hood.

I'm not sure that he revolutionized tactics, but he certainly made it clear to the world that waging total war not only on military, but civilian targets as well was a practical necessity.

Answer 3

Hi......Are you just rattling my cage by chance???

No I DO NOT love Sherman.....But I must give the Yankee Devil his dues.
He did revolutonize warfare. He did help usher us into Modern warfare....He did get the job done no matter the collateral or friendly losses incurred.

But I can not Love a callous cold heartless man...I can admire what he did...He himself said:
“ I confess, without shame, that I am sick and tired of fighting—its glory is all moonshine; even success the most brilliant is over dead and mangled bodies, with the anguish and lamentations of distant families, appealing to me for sons, husbands, and fathers ... it is only those who have never heard a shot, never heard the shriek and groans of the wounded and lacerated ... that cry aloud for more blood, more vengeance, more desolation.


But in the words of a true gentleman :

The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He can not only forgive; he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which imparts sufficient strength to let the past be put the past.

Robert Edward Lee


For the golden god!
(Solem Bow)
(Exit stage right)

Answer 4

Sherman..like Grant..like Patton was the type of guy that knew war was hell..knew what had to be done and did it..

alot of the generals are all ribbons and medals..afraid to use the army..afraid of making mistakes..afraid of not being the media darlings..

But unfortunately folks..we needed ruthless general..people that could hack a country in half..divide a nation..
where we loved sherman is another story..he was very efficient at his job and probably saved the unioin

Answer 5

He was a great Civil War General, although personally, I'd say you are a bit overboard with your assessment. The weapons and tactics of today are so different you can't make a very close comparison, IMHO

Answer 6

He doesn't sound lovable to me. But I do agree with your assessment. Without the march to the sea, Lee and Grant could have carried on slugging it out in front of Richmond until war-weariness forced the US to concede independence to the CSA.

Answer 7

Can't say that i love him but he knew how to fight,and more importantly how to win.

Answer 8

Yes, and tank you very much.