William Tecumseh Sherman
Throughout the course of the war, the Union armies appointed many generals to lead them, trying to find someone with strong leadership qualities that would help them be victorious. Without a doubt, William Tecumseh Sherman can be considered one of the most ruthless leaders to take command of Northern troops. Well known from his capture of Atlanta and his march to the sea, Sherman is a significant character to the war.
Sherman had actually resigned from the army in 1853 to try banking and law, but returned after the start of the Civil War; being named after a native chief who tried to organize troops against the Americans, you could say it was destined that Sherman fight hard for something that he strongly believed in. As displayed in the quote stated above, Sherman believed in using harsh war tactics. One of his famous strategies, used on "Sherman's March to the Sea", was total war. This idea was to not only destroy buildings and supplies but the determination and hope of the enemy. Sherman was able to lead the Northern troops to the Atlantic Ocean, burning everything on the way, and make the important capture of Atlanta.
Though these tactics seem harsh, Sherman was able to make a big impact on the path of the war. His march left the South further in a state of despair, as Sherman had hoped and predicted. The South's crushed mindset helped lead to more Northern victories and soon to the surrender of the Confederate army. Although Sherman was brutal, he also demonstrated great bravery that made him a war figure that is difficult to forget.
Sherman had actually resigned from the army in 1853 to try banking and law, but returned after the start of the Civil War; being named after a native chief who tried to organize troops against the Americans, you could say it was destined that Sherman fight hard for something that he strongly believed in. As displayed in the quote stated above, Sherman believed in using harsh war tactics. One of his famous strategies, used on "Sherman's March to the Sea", was total war. This idea was to not only destroy buildings and supplies but the determination and hope of the enemy. Sherman was able to lead the Northern troops to the Atlantic Ocean, burning everything on the way, and make the important capture of Atlanta.
Though these tactics seem harsh, Sherman was able to make a big impact on the path of the war. His march left the South further in a state of despair, as Sherman had hoped and predicted. The South's crushed mindset helped lead to more Northern victories and soon to the surrender of the Confederate army. Although Sherman was brutal, he also demonstrated great bravery that made him a war figure that is difficult to forget.