| [CHAPTER I.] | |
| THE SHERMAN FAMILY. | |
| Honorable Rank in the Mother Country—Early Migration to New England—Settling in the Connecticut Valley—Playing an Important Part at Woodbury—Long Term of Public Service—The Stoddards—A Militant Minister—Seeking New Fortunes in the West—An Early Ohio Judge—The Mother of Great Men | [17] |
| [CHAPTER II.] | |
| BOYHOOD AND CADETSHIP. | |
| Why He Was Named Tecumseh—His Adoption by Mr. Ewing—Character in Boyhood—Work as a Surveyor—Appointment to a Cadetship—From Lancaster to West Point—"Old Hickory"—Letters to His Sweetheart—A Youthful Philosopher—Character and Standing as a Cadet | [29] |
| [CHAPTER III.] | |
| EARLY MILITARY DUTIES. | |
| Winding up the Seminole War—Comedy and Tragedy in the Florida Wilderness—The Capture of Coacoochee—Service at Fort Moultrie—Getting Acquainted with the Scene of His Greatest Campaign—Secession Talk—Outbreak of the Mexican War—Rebuked for too Much Zeal—The Long Voyage to California—Arrival at Monterey | [40] |
| [CHAPTER IV.] | |
| AMONG THE FORTY-NINERS. | |
| Days of Idleness at Monterey—Adam and Eve—Sunday Diversions—Who is Governor?—General Fremont—The Discovery of Gold and the Rush for the Mines—Domestic Economy of Camp Life—Negro Fidelity—Back to the East—Marriage of Sherman and Miss Ewing—How he Heard Webster's Speech—A Shady Travelling Companion—Entering and Quitting the Law | [50] |
| [CHAPTER V.] | |
| THE CRISIS OF A CAREER. | |
| Sherman in the Prime of Manhood—Great Events Approaching—How He Came to be a Schoolmaster—Organization of the Seminary—Political Talk—His View on Slavery—The Campaign of 1860 and Election of Lincoln—Secession—Sherman's Prompt Decision to Stand by the Union—Resignation of His Principalship—Departure for the North—Fate of the Seminary | [62] |
| [CHAPTER VI.] | |
| THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR. | |
| The South Excited and Ready—The North Indifferent and Unprepared—Sherman's Interview with Lincoln—His Plain Talk to his Brother—Disgusted with the Politicians—A St. Louis Street Railroad President—War Talk in St. Louis—A Clerkship Declined—His Loyalty Doubted—Prophesying a Great Struggle—Bloodshed in St. Louis—Back to Washington—In Service at Last | [75] |
| [CHAPTER VII.] | |
| BULL RUN. | |
| "On to Richmond!"—Sherman's Brigade at Bull Run—Features of Battle—Sherman's Official Report—The Stampede Back to the Potomac—How Sherman Dealt with Mutineers—A Threat that the President Thought he would Execute—Re-organization and Promotion—General McClellan Assumes Command—Sherman's Frank Criticism and Uncomfortable Truth-Telling and Consequent Unpopularity | [85] |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] | |
| SERVICE IN KENTUCKY. | |
| Serving Under Anderson—Critical Condition of the State—Seeking Help in Other States—A Visit to Fremont—That Famous Interview with Cameron—How the Story of Sherman's Insanity was Started—Attacks and Insults—Sherman's Official Correspondence—His Request for 200,000 Men—An Extraordinary Newspaper Article—Sherman Transferred to Missouri—Halleck's Confidence in Him—Planning the Donelson Campaign | [99] |
| [CHAPTER IX.] | |
| SHILOH. | |
| The Gloomy Winter of 1861–2—Exultation over Donelson—The Advance up the Tennessee—Responsibility for the Encampment at Pittsburgh Landing—Controversies over the Battle—Varying Accounts—Sherman's Personal Heroism—Number of Troops Engaged on Both Sides—Services of the Army of the Ohio—Losses of the two Armies | [116] |
| [CHAPTER X.] | |
| OFFICIAL REPORTS ON SHILOH. | |
| Sherman's Own Story—How his Troops were Posted—The Attack—Troops in Disorder—Grant and Buell at the Bivouac—The Battle Resumed in the Morning—Death of General Johnston—Gallant Conduct of Individual Officers—Grant's Official Report—Special Mention of Sherman for his Gallantry as a Soldier and his Skill as a Commander | [124] |
| [CHAPTER XI.] | |
| "AGATE'S" STORY OF SHILOH. | |
| The Situation Before the Battle—The First Skirmish—Plans of the Rebel Leaders—The Scene on Sunday Morning—Troops in Disorder—Analysis of the Situation—Faulty Disposition of the Federal Troops—Arrangement of Sherman's Division—The Rebel Plan of Attack—Sherman's Old Friend Bragg among the Rebel Leaders | [142] |
| [CHAPTER XII.] | |
| "AGATE'S" STORY CONTINUED. | |
| The Battle of Sunday, April 6th—The Union Troops Surprised—An Army in Disorder—Sherman's Heroic Effort to Stem the Tide—McClernand's Share in the Battle—The Rebels Pressing their Advantage—The Assault on Sherman's Left—Men too Brave to be Killed—Desperate Position of the Union Army—Looking to the Gunboats for Aid—Three Desperate Charges Repulsed—Death of General Wallace | [153] |
| [CHAPTER XIII.] | |
| "AGATE'S" STORY CONTINUED. | |
| The Close of Sunday's Fight—What had been Lost During the Day—Five Thousand Cowards on the River Bank—Opportune Arrival of General Buell—The Grand Attack and its Grand Repulse—Aid from the Gunboats—The Night Between Two Battles—Desperate Preparations for the Morrow—Gunboats on Guard Through the Darkness | [172] |
| [CHAPTER XIV.] | |
| "AGATE'S" STORY CONCLUDED. | |
| The Work of Sunday Night—Landing of Buell's Troops—Effect of the Bombardment—Lack of System in the Union Army—Renewing the Battle—A Change of Tactics—Turning the Tide—Crittenden's Advance—The Advance at the Centre—A Grand Parade on the Field of War—Redeeming the Losses of Sunday—Facing the Louisiana Troops—Silencing the Battery—End of the Great Struggle | [183] |
| [CHAPTER XV.] | |
| CORINTH. | |
| Halleck Takes the Field—Organization of the Army—Progress at a Snail's Pace—Sherman's Advance—The Flight of the Rebels—Sherman's Official Report—Congratulating the Troops—Beauregard's Address to his Soldiers—Some Accounts of Corinth—Abrupt Finale of a Rebel Harangue | [196] |
| [CHAPTER XVI.] | |
| MEMPHIS, VICKSBURG AND ARKANSAS POST. | |
| Changes in Command—Restoring Order at Memphis—Sherman's Views of the Situation—Grant's Critical Position—Moving Against Pemberton—Meeting with Porter—The Expedition Against Vicksburg—Why it did not Succeed—The Surrender at Holly Springs—Sherman Removed from Command—The Capture of Arkansas Post—General McClernand | [219] |
| [CHAPTER XVII.] | |
| VICKSBURG. | |
| Co-operation of Grant and Porter—Grand Gulf and Sherman's Demonstration on the Yazoo—The Advance on Vicksburg—Capture of Jackson—Gallant Assaults Upon the Works at Vicksburg—The Siege—Sherman Holding Johnston at Bay—Surrender of Vicksburg—Flight of Johnston—Important Results of the Campaign—Sherman's Meed of Praise | [241] |
| [CHAPTER XVIII.] | |
| SOME WAR CORRESPONDENCE. | |
| Sherman's Characteristic Letters—Congratulations to Porter at Vicksburg—Views of the Reorganization of the Army—The Conduct of the War and the Spirit of the South—Manners and Morals of the Soldiers—No Wanton Spoliation of the Enemy's Property—The Heroic Cartridge Boy of Vicksburg | [249] |
| [CHAPTER XIX.] | |
| CHATTANOOGA. | |
| Dark Days in 1863—A Sunburst of Victory—Sherman Leaves Vicksburg—Orders to his Troops—The March to Chattanooga—The Battle Above the Clouds—Sherman's Attack on Missionary Ridge—The Victory Complete—Pursuit of the Enemy—A Forced March to Rescue Burnside—Sherman's Report—Views Concerning the Treatment of the Rebels | [259] |
| [CHAPTER XX.] | |
| MERIDIAN. | |
| Freeing the Mississippi—A March of Destruction—Retreat of the Enemy—Polk's Flight from Meridian—Failure of Smith's Expedition—Destroying Rebel Property—Confiscating a Chicken—Results of the Raid—Scenes Among the Liberated Negroes—The Red River Expedition | [286] |
| [CHAPTER XXI.] | |
| THE BEGINNING OF THE END. | |
| Grant Made Lieutenant-General—Correspondence with Sherman—Their Memorable Interview—Planning a Scientific Campaign—General Howard's Pen Picture of the Two Soldiers—Schofield, McPherson and Thomas—Grant's Final Orders—Sherman's Army in Line—Strength of Johnston's Army—General Howard's Account of the Advance | [298] |
| [CHAPTER XXII.] | |
| ATLANTA. | |
| The Turning of Rocky Face—Resaca—General Howard's Narrative—Adairsville—Crossing the Etowah—Sherman on Familiar Ground—Dealing with Breaches of Discipline—Allatoona Pass—The Siege and Turning of Kenesaw—Smyrna and Peach Tree—Hood Succeeds Johnston—Death of McPherson—Howard in Command of the Army of the Tennessee—Ezra Church—Operations around Atlanta—The Rush to Jonesboro—Capture of Atlanta | [314] |
| [CHAPTER XXIII.] | |
| PREPARING FOR THE MARCH. | |
| Congratulations and Rejoicings—Sherman's Address to his Army—Incidents of the Campaign—Appearance of Atlanta and its Environs—Hood's Northward March—How Corse Held the Fort—Sherman's Stern Work at Atlanta—Exchange of Prisoners—Organizing for the March to the Sea—Sketches of Howard and Slocum—Orders for the Campaign—Cutting off all Communication with the North—Atlanta in Ruin—Marching Toward the Sea | [338] |
| [CHAPTER XXIV.] | |
| "MARCHING THROUGH GEORGIA." | |
| The "Lost Army"—Speculations, North and South, as to its Doings—Diary of an Officer—Keeping Thanksgiving Day—Howell Cobb's Plantation—The Negroes—A Quaint Philosopher—Strategy of the March—Howard's Brilliant Advance—Investment of Savannah—Capture of Fort McAllister—Fall of Savannah | [364] |
| [CHAPTER XXV.] | |
| SHERMAN'S STORY OF THE MARCH. | |
| The Soldier's Modest Narration of his Arduous Deeds—Why the March was Decided Upon—Operations around Savannah—Material Results of the Campaign—Handsome Tributes to the Officers and Men of his Army | [394] |
| [CHAPTER XXVI.] | |
| THE CAROLINA CAMPAIGN. | |
| In the Cradle of Secession—The Occupation and Destruction of Columbia—Reprisals Against Wade Hampton: Men—Arrival at Goldsboro—Summing up the Results of the Northward March—Work Accomplished by the Engineers | [422] |
| [CHAPTER XXVII.] | |
| THE END OF THE WAR. | |
| Lincoln, Grant and Sherman at City Point—Surrender of Lee—Murder of Lincoln—Negotiations with Johnston—Stanton's Disapproval—An Outcry Against Sherman—The Grand Review—Sherman's Refusal to Shake Hands with Stanton—Farewell Address to the Army | [435] |
| [CHAPTER XXVIII.] | |
| THE DUTIES OF PEACE. | |
| Aiding the Pacific Railroad—A Fool's Errand to Mexico—Political Intrigues at Washington—The Tenure of Office Affair—Work Among the Indians—A Trip to Europe—The Belknap Scandal—Sherman's Speech on Military Honor—Travels in the Northwest—Yellowstone Park—Writing His Memoirs—Life in New York—Death of Mrs. Sherman | [449] |
| [CHAPTER XXIX.] | |
| DEATH AND BURIAL. | |
| A Fatal Cold—Lingering Between Hope and Fear—The Last Rally—The End of Life's Campaign—A Son's Sad Home-Coming—Preparations for the Funeral—Public Tributes of Respect—The Military Parade in New York—Progress of the Funeral Train Across the Country—Ceremonies at St. Louis—The Warrior's Last Encampment by the Side of his Loved Ones | [474] |
| [CHAPTER XXX.] | |
| TRIBUTES. | |
| A National Outburst of Grief—The President's Message to Congress—The Senate's Memorial Resolutions—Senator Hawley's Eulogy—A Touching Tribute from a Southern Senator—Speeches by Senators who were also Soldiers—Eloquent Words from Lawrence Barrett—Judge Gresham Recalls Sherman's Prophetic Words—A Comparison Between Sherman and Lee—General Slocum's Reminiscences—Chauncey Depew on Sherman in Social Life | [491] |
| [CHAPTER XXXI.] | |
| IN MEMORIAM. | |
| New York's Official Tribute—The Consolidated Stock Exchange—The Union League Club—The Republican County Committee—The Grand Army of the Republic—The Chamber of Commerce—Speech by the Hon. Carl Schurz—The Ohio Society—Brief Words from Many Friends | [512] |
| [CHAPTER XXXII.] | |
| TRAITS AND INCIDENTS. | |
| His Positive Refusal to be a Presidential Candidate—Remembering a California Drummer—Dealing with a Newspaper at Memphis—Suppressing Praise of Himself at Savannah—Confiscating Medicine—The Electoral Commission—His Love of Music—Excuses for Swearing—A Tribute to his Mother—An Incident at Yale—Expressions of Kind Feeling Toward the South and Toward his Foes | [537] |
| [CHAPTER XXXIII.] | |
| REMINISCENCES. | |
| Life at the Fifth Avenue Hotel—Ex-President Hayes's Memories—General Meigs's Tribute—Professor Howe on Sherman's School Days—A Visit to the Catskills—Sherman and Joe Johnston—Telling about Resaca—Thinking of the Sea—Marvellous Versatility—General Rosecrans's Reminiscences of Sherman at West Point | [562] |
| [CHAPTER XXXIV.] | |
| SHERMAN'S OWN WORDS. | |
| Speech at a Clover Club Dinner—A Famous New England Society Dinner—Teaching Geography in Georgia—Speaking for the United States—Old Times in Ohio—At a Grand Army National Encampment—Why he did not March to Augusta—One of his Last Letters—A Story of Grant—Congratulations to President Harrison | [587] |
[LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.]
| General Wm. Tecumseh Sherman (frontispiece), | [Steel] |
| Mrs. General Sherman, | [20] |
| Sherman's Birthplace, | [37] |
| Sherman Entering U. S. Senate, | [56] |
| Hon. John Sherman, | [73] |
| General John C. Fremont, | [91] |
| General Thomas' Bivouac (after the first day's battle), | [109] |
| Major-General O. O. Howard, | [128] |
| Major-General Slocum, | [145] |
| Lieutenant-General Sheridan, | [164] |
| Major-General Butterfield, | [181] |
| General John A. Logan, | [200] |
| Grant's March upon Vicksburg, | [217] |
| Admiral D. D. Porter, | [236] |
| Battle of Lookout Mountain, | [253] |
| Sprague's Brigade protecting Sherman's Wagon Train at Decatur, | [272] |
| Capturing their Headquarters, | [289] |
| Major-General Schofield, | [308] |
| Map of Atlanta Campaign, | [317] |
| Death of General J. B. McPherson, | [325] |
| Battle of Atlanta, | [344] |
| Battle of Atlanta—the Contest of Bald Hill, | [361] |
| A Bivouac Among the Georgia Pines, | [380] |
| Map of Atlanta to Savannah, | [388] |
| Sherman Sending his Last Telegram Before Cutting the Wires, | [397] |
| Capturing the Flag, | [416] |
| Camp of the Second Massachusetts—City Hall, Atlanta, | [433] |
| Battle of Ezra Church, July 28th, 1864, | [452] |
| The Road From McPhersonville, | [469] |
| Army and Corps Commanders of the Army of the Tennessee, | [488] |
| Head of the Procession Coming Down Broadway, New York City, | [505] |
| The Catafalque Passing Fifty-seventh Street and Broadway, New York City, | [524] |
| The Riderless Horse, | [541] |
| General Lew. Wallace, | [559] |
| Sherman's Sentiments Approved, | [578] |
[CHAPTER I.]
THE SHERMAN FAMILY.
Honorable Rank in the Mother Country—Early Migration to New England—Settling in the Connecticut Valley—Playing an Important Part at Woodbury—Long Term of Public Service—The Stoddards—A Military Minister—Seeking New Fortunes in the West—An Early Ohio Judge—The Mother of Great Men.
The artificial law of primogeniture has little effect upon the natural law of heredity. In nations where the family descent outranks all other personal or social considerations, degenerate sons—even first sons—of noble sires are often found, and famous families become extinct, or worse. In other nations, where descent is scorned, and the proud individualism of democracy prevails, hereditary genius appears, and families contribute to the service of society and of the State generation after generation of great men. Thus human nature vindicates its disregard of time and places, and establishes itself as the one immutable factor in the life of the world, albeit changeful, capricious, and kaleidoscopic.