US year 1899 Guam 8¢ Sherman stamp MH

US year 1899 Guam 8¢ Sherman stamp MH

General William Tecumseh Sherman was a prominent Union Army officer during the American Civil War. Born on February 8, 1820, in Lancaster, Ohio, Sherman is best known for his “March to the Sea” campaign and his role in bringing total warfare to the Confederate states.

Sherman graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1840 and served in the military until 1853, when he resigned his commission. He then worked in various civilian roles before returning to the military at the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.

During the Civil War, Sherman rose to prominence for his strategic brilliance and aggressive tactics. He played a key role in several major campaigns, including the capture of Atlanta in 1864, which helped secure President Abraham Lincoln’s reelection. Sherman’s subsequent “March to the Sea” saw his forces cut a path of destruction through Georgia, aiming to cripple the Confederate war effort by destroying infrastructure and supplies.

Sherman’s famous quote, “War is hell,” succinctly captures his belief in the necessity of total warfare to achieve victory. His campaigns, particularly in the South, left a lasting impact on the region’s infrastructure and psyche.

After the war, Sherman served as Commanding General of the Army from 1869 to 1883. He died on February 14, 1891, in New York City. Sherman’s legacy is complex, with some praising his military prowess and others criticizing the severity of his tactics. However, he remains one of the most significant figures in American military history.