Chapter I: Introduction

The title of this work is hardly a fair index to the contents.

The "Life of General Sherman," written with any reasonable detail so as to depict his formative period, the gradual development of his energies, the bulk of his achievements and the great consummation of his genius, could not be contained in any three volumes of this size.

The work, so far as the labor of the author, Mr. Johnson, is concerned, is eclectic,--mainly a compendium.

There are beautiful sketches, choice pictorial presentations of Sherman and his environments from childhood to age. But, I do not think that the work, valuable as it undoubtedly is, could in any degree take the place of Sherman's Personal Memoirs.

There are some chapters which have been furnished by war editorials and the writings of field correspondents which the author must have collected and carefully preserved.

Many of these are life-like, and bear the impress and the inspiration of the exciting events amid which they were composed.

There are, furthermore, in this book, chapters which are ingeniously formed and elaborated by quotations from officers who were themselves part and parcel of the campaigns which they describe.

To me, the author appears to have done exceedingly well, and has herein furnished a choice entertainment to his readers.

The part undertaken by me, and to which I have strictly confined myself, has been to review the work, some of it already in proof type, and the remainder in manuscript, going over each chapter with considerable care, and suggesting such changes as I thought the truth of history demanded.

Where one has expressed an opinion and a quotation of that opinion appears, of course no change was admissible; so that I am entirely unwilling to assume that such a quoted writer gave utterance to my own convictions.

For example: different views are given of the fearful struggle during the first day of "Shiloh" at Pittsburgh Landing. A famous journalist takes General Sherman to task for want of epaulements, intrenchments, and other means of defence. He claims that Sherman and Grant were both surprised, as they had known for a week or more that the enemy was close by, and liable to attack.

Certainly the answer to this allegation, and it should be a very clear and decided answer, would be found in any completed history. Our troops had not yet, at that period of the war of the rebellion, made much use of intrenching tools. Grant and Sherman did not design to put their new troops into intrenched camps.

They believed, and very justly, that it was next to impossible to handle them offensively, as we say, against the enemy. But they did have some cover. The woods, ravines, and general contour of the ground gave them protection, and it was in faithful use of this cover that during the battle-storm of the first day near Shiloh church, they were able to hold out till reinforcements came.

This example will suggest others to the reader. Still, the phases presented by the different writers, from whom extracts are taken, afford a kaleidoscopic variety, interesting especially to those of us who lived at the time of the occurrences in question.

Probably none of us can do more than our noble General Sherman, years ago, suggested. He said in substance: We who were involved in the controversies, the battles, and campaigns of the great war, are not the men to write the history. We are like witnesses in court. Each should give his own testimony of what he saw and knew. Somebody else, will in the future, after passion and prejudice shall have subsided, rise up to make a search, a selection, a summation, and so the better evolve the true history.

With regard to General Sherman and his career, in my judgment the more of truthful statements that are made the better. Let eye witnesses give all the evidence they can.

In his heart was a love of truth, a phenomenal loyalty to his country, a fearless and prompt devotion to duty and markedly an absence of aught that was malicious. True, he resented wrong often with a fiery indignation, but he forgave a fault confessed with quick generosity. So that at Lancaster, Ohio, the home of his childhood, at West Point, N. Y., in Florida and South Carolina, where were his early army stations; in California and Louisiana, where he made his civil record; at all places during the war of four years, and at his headquarters, or upon extensive tours; as Commander, after the war, of a military division and finally of a whole army; all his acts, all his orders, and all his writings will bear most careful inspection. They, if truthfully given, will furnish to our youth something for meditation, for instruction, for emulation.

To whatever extent this little volume may contribute such quota, it will be a welcome guest to our people, North and South, East and West.

O. O. HOWARD,
_Major-General U. S. Army_.

GOVERNOR'S ISLAND, N. Y. CITY,
_March 19th, 1891_.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

THE SHERMAN FAMILY.

Honorable Rank in the Mother Country--Early Migration to New
England--Settling in the Connecticut Valley--Playing an
Important Part at Woodbury--Long Term of Public Service--
The Stoddards--A Militant Minister--Seeking New Fortunes in
the West--An Early Ohio Judge--The Mother of Great Men 17

CHAPTER II.

BOYHOOD AND CADETSHIP.

Why He Was Named Tecumseh--His Adoption by Mr. Ewing--
Character in Boyhood--Work as a Surveyor--Appointment to a
Cadetship--From Lancaster to West Point--"Old Hickory"--
Letters to His Sweetheart--A Youthful Philosopher--
Character and Standing as a Cadet 29

CHAPTER III.

EARLY MILITARY DUTIES.

Winding up the Seminole War--Comedy and Tragedy in the Florida
Wilderness--The Capture of Coacoochee--Service at Fort
Moultrie--Getting Acquainted with the Scene of His Greatest
Campaign--Secession Talk--Outbreak of the Mexican War--
Rebuked for too Much Zeal--The Long Voyage to California--
Arrival at Monterey 40

CHAPTER IV.

AMONG THE FORTY-NINERS.

Days of Idleness at Monterey--Adam and Eve--Sunday
Diversions--Who is Governor?--General Fremont--The
Discovery of Gold and the Rush for the Mines--Domestic
Economy of Camp Life--Negro Fidelity--Back to the East--
Marriage of Sherman and Miss Ewing--How he Heard Webster's
Speech--A Shady Travelling Companion--Entering and Quitting
the Law 50

CHAPTER V.

THE CRISIS OF A CAREER.

Sherman in the Prime of Manhood--Great Events Approaching--
How He Came to be a Schoolmaster--Organization of the
Seminary--Political Talk--His View on Slavery--The
Campaign of 1860 and Election of Lincoln--Secession--
Sherman's Prompt Decision to Stand by the Union--Resignation
of His Principalship--Departure for the North--Fate of the
Seminary 62

CHAPTER VI.

THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR.

The South Excited and Ready--The North Indifferent and
Unprepared--Sherman's Interview with Lincoln--His Plain
Talk to his Brother--Disgusted with the Politicians--A St.
Louis Street Railroad President--War Talk in St. Louis--
A Clerkship Declined--His Loyalty Doubted--Prophesying
a Great Struggle--Bloodshed in St. Louis--Back to
Washington--In Service at Last 75

CHAPTER VII.

BULL RUN.

"On to Richmond!"--Sherman's Brigade at Bull Run--Features of
Battle--Sherman's Official Report--The Stampede Back to the
Potomac--How Sherman Dealt with Mutineers--A Threat that
the President Thought he would Execute--Re-organization and
Promotion--General McClellan Assumes Command--Sherman's
Frank Criticism and Uncomfortable Truth-Telling and
Consequent Unpopularity 85

CHAPTER VIII.

SERVICE IN KENTUCKY.

Serving Under Anderson--Critical Condition of the State--
Seeking Help in Other States--A Visit to Fremont--That
Famous Interview with Cameron--How the Story of Sherman's
Insanity was Started--Attacks and Insults--Sherman's
Official Correspondence--His Request for 200,000 Men--
An Extraordinary Newspaper Article--Sherman Transferred
to Missouri--Halleck's Confidence in Him--Planning the
Donelson Campaign 99

CHAPTER IX.

SHILOH.

The Gloomy Winter of 1861-2--Exultation over Donelson--The
Advance up the Tennessee--Responsibility for the Encampment
at Pittsburgh Landing--Controversies over the Battle--
Varying Accounts--Sherman's Personal Heroism--Number of
Troops Engaged on Both Sides--Services of the Army of the
Ohio--Losses of the two Armies 116

CHAPTER X.

OFFICIAL REPORTS ON SHILOH.

Sherman's Own Story--How his Troops were Posted--The Attack--
Troops in Disorder--Grant and Buell at the Bivouac--The
Battle Resumed in the Morning--Death of General Johnston--
Gallant Conduct of Individual Officers--Grant's Official
Report--Special Mention of Sherman for his Gallantry as a
Soldier and his Skill as a Commander 124

CHAPTER XI.

"AGATE'S" STORY OF SHILOH.

The Situation Before the Battle--The First Skirmish--Plans of
the Rebel Leaders--The Scene on Sunday Morning--Troops in
Disorder--Analysis of the Situation--Faulty Disposition of
the Federal Troops--Arrangement of Sherman's Division--The
Rebel Plan of Attack--Sherman's Old Friend Bragg among the
Rebel Leaders 142

CHAPTER XII.

"AGATE'S" STORY CONTINUED.

The Battle of Sunday, April 6th--The Union Troops Surprised--
An Army in Disorder--Sherman's Heroic Effort to Stem the
Tide--McClernand's Share in the Battle--The Rebels Pressing
their Advantage--The Assault on Sherman's Left--Men too
Brave to be Killed--Desperate Position of the Union Army--
Looking to the Gunboats for Aid--Three Desperate Charges
Repulsed--Death of General Wallace 153

CHAPTER XIII.

"AGATE'S" STORY CONTINUED.

The Close of Sunday's Fight--What had been Lost During the
Day--Five Thousand Cowards on the River Bank--Opportune
Arrival of General Buell--The Grand Attack and its Grand
Repulse--Aid from the Gunboats--The Night Between Two
Battles--Desperate Preparations for the Morrow--Gunboats on
Guard Through the Darkness 172

CHAPTER XIV.

"AGATE'S" STORY CONCLUDED.

The Work of Sunday Night--Landing of Buell's Troops--Effect
of the Bombardment--Lack of System in the Union Army--
Renewing the Battle--A Change of Tactics--Turning the
Tide--Crittenden's Advance--The Advance at the Centre--
A Grand Parade on the Field of War--Redeeming the Losses
of Sunday--Facing the Louisiana Troops--Silencing the
Battery--End of the Great Struggle 183

CHAPTER XV.

CORINTH.

Halleck Takes the Field--Organization of the Army--Progress
at a Snail's Pace--Sherman's Advance--The Flight of the
Rebels--Sherman's Official Report--Congratulating the
Troops--Beauregard's Address to his Soldiers--Some Accounts
of Corinth--Abrupt Finale of a Rebel Harangue 196

CHAPTER XVI.

MEMPHIS, VICKSBURG AND ARKANSAS POST.

Changes in Command--Restoring Order at Memphis--Sherman's
Views of the Situation--Grant's Critical Position--Moving
Against Pemberton--Meeting with Porter--The Expedition
Against Vicksburg--Why it did not Succeed--The Surrender at
Holly Springs--Sherman Removed from Command--The Capture of
Arkansas Post--General McClernand 219

CHAPTER XVII.

VICKSBURG.

Co-operation of Grant and Porter--Grand Gulf and Sherman's
Demonstration on the Yazoo--The Advance on Vicksburg--
Capture of Jackson--Gallant Assaults Upon the Works at
Vicksburg--The Siege--Sherman Holding Johnston at Bay--
Surrender of Vicksburg--Flight of Johnston--Important
Results of the Campaign--Sherman's Meed of Praise 241

CHAPTER XVIII.

SOME WAR CORRESPONDENCE.

Sherman's Characteristic Letters--Congratulations to Porter
at Vicksburg--Views of the Reorganization of the Army--The
Conduct of the War and the Spirit of the South--Manners and
Morals of the Soldiers--No Wanton Spoliation of the Enemy's
Property--The Heroic Cartridge Boy of Vicksburg 249

CHAPTER XIX.

CHATTANOOGA.

Dark Days in 1863--A Sunburst of Victory--Sherman Leaves
Vicksburg--Orders to his Troops--The March to Chattanooga--
The Battle Above the Clouds--Sherman's Attack on Missionary
Ridge--The Victory Complete--Pursuit of the Enemy--A
Forced March to Rescue Burnside--Sherman's Report--Views
Concerning the Treatment of the Rebels 259

CHAPTER XX.

MERIDIAN.

Freeing the Mississippi--A March of Destruction--Retreat of
the Enemy--Polk's Flight from Meridian--Failure of Smith's
Expedition--Destroying Rebel Property--Confiscating a
Chicken--Results of the Raid--Scenes Among the Liberated
Negroes--The Red River Expedition 286

CHAPTER XXI.

THE BEGINNING OF THE END.

Grant Made Lieutenant-General--Correspondence with Sherman--
Their Memorable Interview--Planning a Scientific Campaign--
General Howard's Pen Picture of the Two Soldiers--Schofield,
McPherson and Thomas--Grant's Final Orders--Sherman's Army
in Line--Strength of Johnston's Army--General Howard's
Account of the Advance 298

CHAPTER XXII.

ATLANTA.

The Turning of Rocky Face--Resaca--General Howard's
Narrative--Adairsville--Crossing the Etowah--Sherman on
Familiar Ground--Dealing with Breaches of Discipline--
Allatoona Pass--The Siege and Turning of Kenesaw--
Smyrna and Peach Tree--Hood Succeeds Johnston--Death of
McPherson--Howard in Command of the Army of the Tennessee--
Ezra Church--Operations around Atlanta--The Rush to
Jonesboro--Capture of Atlanta 314

CHAPTER XXIII.

PREPARING FOR THE MARCH.

Congratulations and Rejoicings--Sherman's Address to his
Army--Incidents of the Campaign--Appearance of Atlanta
and its Environs--Hood's Northward March--How Corse Held
the Fort--Sherman's Stern Work at Atlanta--Exchange of
Prisoners--Organizing for the March to the Sea--Sketches
of Howard and Slocum--Orders for the Campaign--Cutting off
all Communication with the North--Atlanta in Ruin--Marching
Toward the Sea 338

CHAPTER XXIV.

"MARCHING THROUGH GEORGIA."

The "Lost Army"--Speculations, North and South, as to
its Doings--Diary of an Officer--Keeping Thanksgiving
Day--Howell Cobb's Plantation--The Negroes--A Quaint
Philosopher--Strategy of the March--Howard's Brilliant
Advance--Investment of Savannah--Capture of Fort
McAllister--Fall of Savannah 364

CHAPTER XXV.

SHERMAN'S STORY OF THE MARCH.

The Soldier's Modest Narration of his Arduous Deeds--Why
the March was Decided Upon--Operations around Savannah--
Material Results of the Campaign--Handsome Tributes to the
Officers and Men of his Army 394

CHAPTER XXVI.

THE CAROLINA CAMPAIGN.

In the Cradle of Secession--The Occupation and Destruction of
Columbia--Reprisals Against Wade Hampton: Men--Arrival at
Goldsboro--Summing up the Results of the Northward March--
Work Accomplished by the Engineers 422

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE END OF THE WAR.

Lincoln, Grant and Sherman at City Point--Surrender of Lee--
Murder of Lincoln--Negotiations with Johnston--Stanton's
Disapproval--An Outcry Against Sherman--The Grand Review--
Sherman's Refusal to Shake Hands with Stanton--Farewell
Address to the Army 435

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE DUTIES OF PEACE.

Aiding the Pacific Railroad--A Fool's Errand to Mexico--
Political Intrigues at Washington--The Tenure of Office
Affair--Work Among the Indians--A Trip to Europe--The
Belknap Scandal--Sherman's Speech on Military Honor--
Travels in the Northwest--Yellowstone Park--Writing His
Memoirs--Life in New York--Death of Mrs. Sherman 449

CHAPTER XXIX.

DEATH AND BURIAL.

A Fatal Cold--Lingering Between Hope and Fear--The
Last Rally--The End of Life's Campaign--A Son's Sad
Home-Coming--Preparations for the Funeral--Public Tributes
of Respect--The Military Parade in New York--Progress of
the Funeral Train Across the Country--Ceremonies at St.
Louis--The Warrior's Last Encampment by the Side of his
Loved Ones 474

CHAPTER XXX.

TRIBUTES.

A National Outburst of Grief--The President's Message to
Congress--The Senate's Memorial Resolutions--Senator
Hawley's Eulogy--A Touching Tribute from a Southern
Senator--Speeches by Senators who were also Soldiers--
Eloquent Words from Lawrence Barrett--Judge Gresham Recalls
Sherman's Prophetic Words--A Comparison Between Sherman and
Lee--General Slocum's Reminiscences--Chauncey Depew on
Sherman in Social Life 491

CHAPTER XXXI.

IN MEMORIAM.

New York's Official Tribute--The Consolidated Stock Exchange--
The Union League Club--The Republican County Committee--The
Grand Army of the Republic--The Chamber of Commerce--Speech
by the Hon. Carl Schurz--The Ohio Society--Brief Words from
Many Friends 512

CHAPTER XXXII.

TRAITS AND INCIDENTS.

His Positive Refusal to be a Presidential Candidate--
Remembering a California Drummer--Dealing with a Newspaper
at Memphis--Suppressing Praise of Himself at Savannah--
Confiscating Medicine--The Electoral Commission--His Love
of Music--Excuses for Swearing--A Tribute to his Mother--
An Incident at Yale--Expressions of Kind Feeling Toward the
South and Toward his Foes 537

CHAPTER XXXIII.

REMINISCENCES.

Life at the Fifth Avenue Hotel--Ex-President Hayes's
Memories--General Meigs's Tribute--Professor Howe on
Sherman's School Days--A Visit to the Catskills--Sherman
and Joe Johnston--Telling about Resaca--Thinking of
the Sea--Marvellous Versatility--General Rosecrans's
Reminiscences of Sherman at West Point 562