Sherman, William Tecumseh

[unionblue]

When the Governor of Kentucky complained to Sherman about the enforcement of martial law in his State, Sherman replied,

"Have we not, as a people, been more forebearing than any people on earth? Did we not bear the taunts and insults of these secessionists until forbearance was cowardice? Have they not tried to coerce you into rebellion and did they not begin to burn the houses of Union men in Kentucky, and carry off the slaves of Union men in Kentucky, when I, poor innocent, would not let a soldier take a gree apple, or a fence rail to make a cup of coffee? Why! we have not yet caught up with our friends in the South in this respect for private rights...I pledge my honor when the South ceases its strife, sends its members to Congress, and appeals to the courts for its remedy and not to 'horrid war,' I will be the open advocate for mercy and a restoration to home, and peace, and happiness of all who have lost them by my acts."

Unionblue

 

[footeghost]

Sherman Devil to Devil

"After all, I think Forrest was the most remarkable man our Civil War produced on either side."

-- William Tecumseh Sherman, after the War

"That Devil Forrest " WTS

"Follow Forrest to the death if it takes 10,00 lives and breaks the treasury. There will never be peace in tennessee till Forrest is dead." William Tecumseh Sherman.

Sherman was the devil to many also. But never "The Wizard" Why was he so obessed,fearfull,yet in the end respectfull of this man? I believe Sherman at his height was probably the most dreaded General anyone faced knowing what to expect. Who was the real "devil" and why the obsession. His correspondence is filled with it. Just looking for new insight to what I think was important reason for Sherman Giving up his commication Lines and pilliging to the sea. Possibly well his fear led to a "massacre" to the sea. Who is the "devil"

 

[unionblue]

"I hope, as the poorer and industrial classes of the South realize their relative weakness and their dependence upon the fruits of the earth and good will of their fellow-men, they will not only discover the error of their ways and repent of their hasty action but bless those who persistently maintained a constitutional Government strong enough to sustain itself, protect its citizens, and promise peaceful homes to millions yet unborn."

Gen. William T. Sherman to Major Roswell M. Sawyer, January 31, 1864, OR 32, pt. 2:279.

Unionblue

 

[larry_cockerham]

When the Governor of Kentucky complained to Sherman about the enforcement of martial law in his State, Sherman replied,



Unionblue

As for me, I believe Sherman was sincere, a soldier trying to help win a war. The fact his men had some minds of their own has not gained Sherman many followers in the south. Not even the best of coon hunters can keep their dogs from ravaging a frightened animal from time to time. Gen. Sherman was perhaps no different. He and Grant brought the horrible war to an end. They get points for that.

 

[ole]

I knew there was a reason to like you, Larry. You tend to see things the way they were.

Were Sherman and/or Grant vicious beasts? Nope. They just wanted all this **** finished. Now. We know about those finishing strokes. And sometimes we disagree about the severity of those strokes.

Might we take this into the genre of a bar fight? If you're lucky enough to knock him down, do you not kick him to make certain that he does not get up?

Lordy! Isn't this the way the world works?

Just a thought.

Ole

 

[Bobbie]

"In his memoirs Sherman says that war is hell. I am inclined to the belief that some of his house burners (bummers) who were killed with torches in their hands are still in the fire department presided over by his Satanic Majesty. "

U.R. Brooks, Butler And His Cavalry In The War Of Secession 1861 - 1865.

 

[unionblue]

"I make up my own opnions from facts and reasoning, and not to suit any body but myself. If people don't like my opnions, it makes little difference as I don't solicit their opinions or votes."

William T. Sherman

Unionblue

 

[ole]

Uncle Billy was a caution. But he did have 60,000 really rough men who would follow him anywhere. Come hell or high water, they did follow.

Ole

 

[K Hale]

"I make up my own opnions from facts and reasoning, and not to suit any body but myself. If people don't like my opnions, it makes little difference as I don't solicit their opinions or votes."

William T. Sherman

Unionblue

You have to love it. This is why this man kept adamantly refusing to run for president.

I've read the 2nd edition of Sherman's memoirs, over which there was quite a controversy as far as their veracity was concerned. I can't recall exactly what Sherman wrote in the preface to the 2nd edition, but what it amounted to was: These are my memoirs. If this isn't how you remember it, write your own.

 

[M E Wolf]

" It may be some days yet before I can cast off, as the roads are under water, and my men are not exactly amphibious yet, nor the mules either."

W. T. SHERMAN,
Major-general.

Reference: Major-General W. T. Sherman to Admiral Porter,
January 21, 1865

 

[Copper 83rd PA INF]

" It may be some days yet before I can cast off, as the roads are under water, and my men are not exactly amphibious yet, nor the mules either."

W. T. SHERMAN,
Major-general.

Reference: Major-General W. T. Sherman to Admiral Porter,
January 21, 1865

I love how he put that..."not exactly amphibious yet".

Who knows what damage they could've caused if they were!:laugh1:

 

[Copper 83rd PA INF]

"If you don't have my army supplied, and keep it supplied, we'll eat your mules up, sir."

--William T. Sherman

 

[Copper 83rd PA INF]

"If forced to choose between the penitentiary and the White House for four years, I would say the penitentiary, thank you."

"If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve."

--William T. Sherman

 

[Tin cup]

My favorites:

"**** him!"
"If he will go to the Ohio River, I'll give him rations." "Let him go north, my business is down south!"

"I cannot guess his movements, as I could those of Johnston, who was a sensible man and who did only sensible things"

Hood could exasperate the best of em!:laugh1:

Kevin Dally

 

[larry_cockerham]

Bill Sherman makes Ole look far more nearly handsome.

 

[Severon]

I have to agree there Larry! :laugh1:

 

[Nathanb1]

"If I owned both Texas and Hell, I'd live in Hell and rent out Texas". ....W.T. Sherman

 

[johan_steele]

"If I owned both Texas and Hell, I'd live in Hell and rent out Texas". ....W.T. Sherman

Actually I believe that was Phil Sheridan, but somebody will have to fact check me.

 

[Nathanb1]

Actually I believe that was Phil Sheridan, but somebody will have to fact check me.

Yeah...sorry...I tend to lump both of them in the same place....sorry, guys....I even put Sherman's name in the google search to get it right, and still didn't notice.... Although I suspect Sherman would have agreed with Phil.

 

[Nathanb1]

Extensive Comanche and Kiowa raids along the West Texas frontier brought Sherman on a personal tour of inspection in May 1871. Accompanied by Inspector Gen. Randolph B. Marcy and a small cavalry escort, Sherman traveled northwestward from San Antonio and visited forts Mason, McKavett, Concho, Griffin, and Belknap. Nothing that Sherman saw on this ride altered his opinion that the frontier was pacific and that claims of Indian raids were greatly exaggerated. "I have seen not a trace of an Indian thus far and only hear the stories of the people, which indicates that whatever Indians there be only come to Texas to steal horses," he wrote to Gen. Joseph J. Reynolds, commander of the Department of Texas. On the ride from Fort Belknap to Fort Richardson, however, Sherman and his party barely missed falling victim to the war party of Satanta, Satank, and Big Tree. Only a few days later, on May 17, this band of Kiowas perpetrated the Warren Wagontrain Raid near the spot where it had observed but failed to attack Sherman's entourage.



I'm sure a lot of Confederates would have loved to pitch in with the Kiowas!