Sherman

General Sherman
As soon as Sherman got news of South Carolina seceding, he closely observed a close friend who was an excited secessionist, David F. Boyd, telling him “You people of the South don’t know what you are doing. This country will be drenched in blood and God only knows how it will end. It is all folly, madness, a crime against civilization! You mistake, too, the people of the North. They are a peaceable people but an earnest people, and they will fight, too. They are not going to let this country be destroyed without a mighty effort to save it…Besides, where are your men and appliances of war to contend against them? The North can make a steam engine, locomotive, or railway car; hardly a yard of cloth or pair of shoes can you make. You are rushing into war with one of the most powerful, ingeniously mechanical, and determined people on Earth-right at your doors. You are bound to utterly fail. Only in your spirit and determination are you prepared for war. In all else you are completely unprepared, with a bad cause to start with. At first you will make headway, but as your limited resources begin to fail, shut out from the markets of Europe as you will be, your cause will begin to wane. If your people will but stop and think, they must see in the end that you will surely fail.” Sherman fought many battles. He is most famous for bringing war to the citizens of the South. Sherman died on February 14, 1891, and was widely known throughout his life, even a Confederate general (General Joseph E. Johnston) was there at his funeral.

 Credit: Riley, Louise J. __Sherman's Army Marches into South Carolina and Lexington County February 1865__. 2010. []