Portrait, William T. Sherman, Major General

by American Landscapes

Title

Portrait, William T. Sherman, Major General

Artist

American Landscapes

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

Photographer: Vannerson, Julian
Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-cwpb-07136 / LC-B8172-6454
Source: Civil war photographs, 1861-1865, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

Major General William T. Sherman was a key Union commander during the American Civil War, renowned for his strategic brilliance and ruthless tactics. Early in the war, he served under General Ulysses S. Grant in pivotal campaigns such as the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson and the Battle of Shiloh. Sherman's rise in rank coincided with his growing reputation for effectiveness, despite early criticisms of his mental stability. In 1863, he played a major role in the successful Siege of Vicksburg, which gave the Union full control of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy.

Sherman is best remembered for his 1864 "March to the Sea," during which he led Union forces from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia, implementing a scorched-earth policy to cripple the South’s war-making capacity. His approach, known as “total war,” aimed to break the Confederacy's will to fight by targeting infrastructure, industry, and civilian resources. Following the capture of Savannah, Sherman continued his campaign through the Carolinas, further weakening Confederate resistance. After the war, Sherman served as Commanding General of the U.S. Army and was instrumental in shaping postwar military policy, including during the Indian Wars in the West. His legacy remains controversial, celebrated for his military effectiveness but criticized for the harshness of his tactics.

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August 15th, 2025

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