War is War

donna

Brev. Brig. Gen'l
Forum Host
Joined
May 12, 2010
Location
Now Florida but always a Kentuckian
"War is War". A simple idea often repeated by Union General W.T. Sherman to justify his harsh treatment of southerners and their property. The words have been virtually forgotten because of his stronger post-war quotaion that "War is Hell".

His famous "War is hell" is a shortening of the sentiments of Union Major General W.T. Sherman, as expressed in his speech in Columbus, Ohio, 15 years after the war on August 11, 1880. Sherman told Union veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic that "There is many a boy here who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is all hell. You can bear this warning voice to generations yet to come".

From "The Language of the Civil War" by John D. Wright page 319.
 
Back
Top