Memoirs of Gen. William T. Sherman -
📘 About This Book
Hailed as a prophet of modern war and condemned as a harbinger of modern barbarism, Sherman is the most controversial general of the Civil War. War is cruelty, you cannot refine it, he wrote in fury to the Confederate mayor of Atlanta, and his memoir is filled with dozens of such wartime exchanges and a fascinating, eerie account of the famous march through the Carolinas. sure the memoirs remained controversial. W. T. Sherman's memoirs are still controversial, even today. He is either a great general, or an overrated one. He is either hailed as a prophet of modern war or condemned as a modern barbarism. The historical value of these memoirs is enormous. Sherman contributed a great deal to the war, and was partially responsible for the war ending when it did. He conducted one of the most brilliant military campaigns in modern history (actually, they were three campaigns--Atlanta, Savannah, and the Carolinas) and accomplished what many considered to be the impossible. His policy of total war, applied in the South, was utilized by Sheridan in the Shenandoah, and was later slightly modified to be used against the Indians. Thanks to his memoirs, we have a step-by-step account of how this policy developed. Sherman's work is engaging and very to the point. He is meticulous almost to a fault in his quest for accuracy and detail. His writing is very, very good, and easy to read. He endeavored to be objective in his evaluations. Quick to give praise and slow to censure, he was not afraid to record the failures of his subordinates. William T. Sherman is a very colorful figure in Civil War history. He may well be one of the most complex and intriguing individuals of the war. To some, he is a barbarian; to others, a deliverer. He is immensely quotable, and was very opinionated and outspoken. If you're contemplating studying the Civil War, do not be put off by this book's length. Far from being a dry account of a man's recollections, this is a very engaging and very worthwhile autobiography, and any student of the war will profit by reading it. Volume 2 covers the Atlanta Campaign (including Nashville, Chattanooga, Kennesaw Mountain, and other battles around Atlanta), the pursuit of General Hood, the March to the Sea from Atlanta to Savannah, chapters about Savannah and Pocotaligo, the Campaign of the Carolinas, the end of the war (from Goldsboro to Raleigh and Washington), and military lessons of the war, and the aftermath of the war.
📖 Summary
Memoirs of General William T. Sherman is a foundational autobiographical work chronicling the life and military career of one of the Union's most prominent and controversial commanders during the American Civil War. Written by Sherman himself and published in 1875, the two-volume memoir provides an unvarnished, firsthand account of the conflict, beginning with his early military education at West Point, his pre-war experiences in the South, and his service leading up to the outbreak of hostilities. The core of the narrative focuses on his pivotal campaigns, including the Battle of Shiloh, the Vicksburg Campaign, the Chattanooga Campaign, and his defining military achievements: the Atlanta Campaign and the infamous March to the Sea through Georgia and the Carolinas. Sherman articulates his philosophy of total war, arguing that defeating the Confederacy required breaking not just its armies, but the economic and psychological will of the civilian populace supporting the rebellion. Unlike many contemporary memoirs, Sherman's writing is remarkably candid, offering sharp critiques of fellow generals, politicians, and the press, while simultaneously defending his strategic decisions. He provides rich historical documentation by embedding official reports, personal correspondence, and general orders directly into the text. Beyond the tactical maneuverings, the memoirs reveal a complex man who deeply loved the Union, foresaw the devastating scale of modern industrial warfare long before it occurred, and maintained a profound, often misunderstood perspective on the nature of peace and conflict. Today, the work remains an indispensable primary source for military historians and a compelling literary artifact of 19th-century American history.
🎯 Key Lessons
💬 Notable Quotes
"War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the curses and maledictions a free people can pour out."
"I knew, wherever I was, that General Grant would move against Lee, and I knew that if he were repulsed, he would try it again and again, until it was a success."
"We are not only fighting hostile armies, but a hostile people, and must make old and young, rich and poor, feel the hard hand of war."
"Glory is all moonshine; even opening the campaign to Atlanta is not so flattering to me as is the fact that a district of country is able to subsist itself and needs no supplies from the rear."
"A soldier fights for his pay, his regiment, and his flag, but the true soldier fights because he loves his country and understands the value of the institutions he is defending."
"If forced to choose between the penitentiary and a white house for four years, I would prefer the penitentiary, where the food and lodging are better and the accountability is less."
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Provides invaluable firsthand historical documentation from a key Civil War general.
Written in an engaging, direct, and conversational literary style.
Offers deep insights into the evolution of military strategy and total war.
⚠️ Cons
Sherman's subjective perspective exhibits heavy personal bias, particularly regarding contemporaries.
The dense inclusion of official reports and correspondence can slow the narrative pace.
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
Is this book worth reading? +
Yes, it is widely considered an essential primary source for understanding the American Civil War and military strategy.
How long does it take to read? +
Due to its comprehensive length and inclusion of official documents, it is a substantial read that typically takes 10 to 15 hours to complete.
What is the main message? +
The memoir illustrates that modern warfare requires total commitment and the complete disruption of the enemy's resources to restore the Union.
