William T. Sherman

Born Lancaster, Ohio

Remembered most for his “scorched earth” marches through Georgia and the Carolinas during the last months of the Civil War, William T. Sherman emerged from the conflict the most acclaimed Union general after Ulysses S. Grant. For many southerners, however, the name Sherman had become infamous. In 1869 he succeeded Grant as the U.S. Army’s top commander, a position he held until 1883. For most of those years he focused on protecting settlers in the West, and the railroads, from Indian incursions. In 1875 he published his memoirs; the second edition appeared ten years later, with the image shown here on the frontispiece. It was a favorite of his and depicts him about the time of his retirement from the army.