Chapter I: Sherman as a Strategist

The most original Character developed by the War.--No Parallel for
Sherman.--His nervous Energy the secret of his great Success.
--Incidents illustrative of his great Energy.--Restlessness of Manner
and nervousness of Expression in Conversation.--His bad Temper.
--Appearance in Battle and under Excitement.--Vigorous Style as a
Writer.--He ought to have been a War Correspondent rather than a
General.--The Story of his Lunacy.--How it originated.--Method in
his Madness.--Habit of Decision.--How he came to leave the Law
and return to the Army.--His uncontrollable Temper nearly Ruins
him.--The Quarrel with Halleck and Stanton.--Failure as a Tactician
and Disciplinarian.--All his Battles Defeats.--Never won a
Battle.--His great strategic Marches.--The Campaign of Atlanta
his greatest Achievement.--Joe Johnston a Foeman worthy of his
Steel.--Sherman's Egotism.--His dislike for Correspondents and
independence of the Press mere Affectation.--Nicknames bestowed on
him by the Soldiers.--An inveterate Smoker.--His personal Appearance
Page 17

CHAPTER II.

THOMAS AS A TACTICIAN.

Sherman and Thomas match Horses.--A Contrast drawn between them.
--Methodical Habits of Thomas.--System necessary to his Existence.
--Fury of his Anger when aroused.--Great Self-control and Coolness
in Danger.--Illustrative Incidents of his Imperturbability.
--Cold-blooded upon Principle.--He Studies to avoid the display of
his Emotions.--Personal Description and Habits in Camp.--His tactical
Ability.--Affection of his Soldiers for Thomas.--The Bayard of the
Army.--His uniform Success as a Commander.--Thomas entitled to the
Credit of Sherman's March to the Sea.--The Battles of that Campaign
fought at Nashville by Thomas.--The Battle at Nashville his
greatest Action 58

CHAPTER III.

GRANT AS A GENERAL.

The proper Conception of his Character.--Grant a Combination of
Sherman and Thomas.--Contrasted with Lee.--Resemblance between Grant
and Sherman.--Energy of both.--Comparison between Grant and
Thomas.--The Persistence and Tenacity of each.--Grant's
Practicability and Magnanimity.--His Taciturnity.--His Idea of
Strategy.--His numerous Battles the most successful and important of
the War.--Campaign at Chattanooga and Knoxville.--The remarkable
Campaign to the Rear of Richmond the most brilliant of the War.--His
great Vice, a Habit of Smoking.--His great Weakness, a Love of
Horses.--Grant and Sherman as Damon and Pythias.--His Generosity
to his Subordinates.--Superiority to his principal Leaders.--What his
Character in the Future will be 91