Activities: Guided Reading/Secondary William Tecumseh Sherman 1820–1891

William Tecumseh (W.T.) Sherman was regarded as one of the most competent and effective military leaders of the Union army during the Civil War. He was born in Lancaster, Ohio, on February 8, 1820. After his father died at an early age, Sherman’s mother split the family. Sherman was sent to live with Thomas Ewing, a lifelong family friend. Sherman later married Ewing’s daughter Ellen. Sherman attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduated in 1840 and was on active duty during the Mexican War. He reported to duty in San Francisco, California. Sherman, however, grew weary of battle and combat, and he resigned his position, but remained in the area.

In time, Sherman entered the banking industry, and he became business partners with several individuals in different ventures. He then left San Francisco to become superintendent of the Louisiana State Seminary and Military Academy, located in Alexandria. Sherman eventually left this job and relocated his family to St. Louis, Missouri. Here he was president of the Fifth Street Railroad.

When the nation moved toward the Civil War in 1861, Sherman contacted the Secretary of War. He offered three years of military service to the nation, while the norm was only three months. Sherman became a colonel in the Thirteenth Regular Infantry, working closely with the First Division of General Irvin McDowell’s army and General Daniel Tyler. He saw action in the Civil War during the First Battle of Bull Run where, due to their use of cannon fire, the Confederate forces defeated him. Still, Sherman was promoted to brigadier-general a few months later.

CICERO © 2010 1 Activities: Guided Reading/Secondary His commanding officer was General Robert Anderson under whom Sherman had previously served. Anderson admired Sherman’s strong, no-nonsense work ethic, and the men shared a mutual respect. When Anderson stepped down, Sherman was promoted.

Sherman eventually took control of a post in Paducah, Kentucky. He also took over the Fifth Division of the Army of Tennessee in 1862. Here he observed the inexperience of the troops under his command. At the Battle of Shiloh, for example, troops eventually regrouped and pushed out Confederate forces but only after reinforcements arrived. Sherman supported General Ulysses S. Grant in the conquest of Vicksburg in 1863. Sherman also was given control of the entire Tennessee Army. More unsuccessful military campaigns, however, followed. Sherman’s troops once again fell to cannon fire in the Battles of Missionary Ridge and Chattanooga. Grant once again aided Sherman with advice before beginning the battle in Atlanta. Grant said to “create havoc and destruction of all resources that would be beneficial to the enemy.” Sherman had a powerful force of close to 100,000 troops to confront the Confederate forces of General Joe Johnston. The Confederates were able to hold their ground at Resaca, but they could not stop the massive Union army. They were forced to retreat from Sherman’s onslaught.

Confederate President Jefferson Davis grew tired of Johnston’s feeble attempts of keeping the army in one place. He relieved Johnston of his job. John B. Hood took over, but he proved to be equally unsuccessful. His troops fell to Sherman. The Union took control of Atlanta in 1864. Both Hood and Sherman worked together to make sure the city’s citizens were out of harm’s way. When this was complete, the Union army carefully guarded the city. Hood aggressively tried to make his way back into Atlanta, but his numerous attempts failed.

Sherman’s main goal was to divide the Confederate army in two. This was the objective of his March to the Sea when his massive army moved from Atlanta toward Savannah. Before leaving Atlanta, he intended to ravage anything that could provide military support to the Confederacy. The fires, however, raged out of control, and most of the city burned to the ground. On his march to Savannah, Sherman destroyed everything in his path, including crops, livestock, bridges and railroads. It was now impossible for the South to regain footing in this area. After General Robert E. Lee surrendered on April 9, 1865, Johnston (who faced Sherman again) surrendered eight days later in Raleigh, North Carolina. Sherman was given control of the Union army when Grant was elected United States President. Sherman enjoyed an exceptional stint in command before he retired in 1883.

CICERO © 2010 2 Activities: Guided Reading/Secondary Name: ______Date: ______

William Tecumseh Sherman 1820–1891

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe the early life of William T. Sherman. What caused his mother to split up the family when Sherman was young? Who was the predominant father- figure in his life?

2. In what military institute did Sherman enroll? Following his graduation, where was he stationed, and did his early military life last a long time?

3. Why was Sherman’s request to the secretary of war in 1861 unique?

4. Describe Sherman’s first battles in the Union army. Did he achieve notable success? What were the results of these battles?

CICERO © 2010 3 Activities: Guided Reading/Secondary 5. Cite Sherman’s successes and failures leading the Army of Tennessee.

6. What was the advice Sherman received from General Ulysses S. Grant? How did Sherman act on Grant’s advice?

7. What unintended damage was done to Atlanta?

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