The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-09-15
SKETCH OF GENERAL SHERMAN.

SKETCH OF GENERAL SHERMAN.
The following interesting sketch of
Gen. Sherman, written by J. NJ Bow
man, appears in the United States Ser
Uice Magazine, for Aug;
William II. Sherman was born at
Lancaster, Ohio, on the 8th day of
February, 1920. His father was the
Hon. Charles r. Sherman, one of the
judges of the Supreme Court of that
State. In 1886, at the age Of sixteen
he entered on the 30th of June, 184O
sixth in his class. Young Sherman at
once entered the service on graduation
as second Lieutenant in the Third
Artillery, and served in Florida
through the winters of 1910 and 1871.
In Nov. 1S41, he was promotedto q
1st Lieutcnancy. lie was afterwards
stationed at Fort Moultric, South
Carolina. In 1916 he was sent to
California, and remained there in SER
vice all through the Mexican war,
having reached the grade Of Captain.
In 1850 he was married to the eldest
daughter of Hon. Thomas Ewing, Of
Ohio. In 1853, he resigned his com
mission in the army and took charge Of
the banking house Of Lucas, Turner u
Co.. San Francisco. In 1860 he was
President of the State Military Acade-
my Of Louisiana, and remained in that
position until the outbreak of the pre-
sent war. lie had evidence satisfac-
tory to his own mind long before the
first shot was fired at Sumter that war
was inevitable, and thereupon taking
prompt counsel Of honor and patrio.
tism, wrote and dispatched the follow
ing keen but honest, straightforward,
and loyal letter;
January 13, 1861.
Gov. Thorn. O Moore, Baton Rouge, La :
STR-As / occupy quasi military
position under this State, deem it
proper to acquaint you that | accepted
such position when Louisiana was
State in the Union, and when the motto
ofthe Seminary was inserted in marble
over the main door, "By the liberality
ofthegeneral governmentofthe United
Sta. es The Union. EStO Perpetua."
Recent events foreshadow q great
change, and it becomes all men to
choose. If fIIouisiana withdraws from
the federal Union, Iprefer to maintain
my allegiance to the old constitution
as long as fragment of it survives,
and my longer stay here would be
wrong in every sense Of the word. In
that event | beg you will send or ap-
point some authorized agent to take
charge of tho arms and munitions of
war here belonging to the State, or
direct me what disposition should be
made of them.
And furthermore rs President of tho
Board of Supervisors, beg you to take
immediate steps to relieve me as super
intcndent the moment the State deter
mines to secede: for on no earthly ac-
count will | do or act, or think any
thought, hostile to orin defiance of the
old government OF the United States.
With great respect, &c.
W. II. SHERMAN.
His resignation being accepted, he
removed TO ST. Louis, and shortly be-
fore the attack on Fort Sumter repair.
ed to Washington. lie was astonished
at the apparent ignorance and incre'
dulity of the government in regard tC
the real condition of the Southern
States. He declared that the men in
authority were sleeping on q volcano
which would burst upon them unpre'
pared. Filled with this idea he ad
dressed q letterto the Secretary Of War
stating that as he was educated at the
expense of the United States he owed
every thing to his country and he had
cometo tender his military services. Ht
warned Mr.. Cameron in earnest Ian.
guage, that war was imminent, and
that we were not prepared. lie also
called upon the President, and in like
manner stated his views and tendercC
his services.
The President jocularly replied, "W,
shall not need many men like you the
whole affair will soon blow over" HC
was then urged by his friends to go tt
Ohio and take charge of the organiza
tion of the three months regiments
This he declined as he did not believe
in such trifing expedients. He de
clared it would be as wise to undertake
to extinguish the flames Of q burning
building with squirt.gun as to put
down the rebellion with three months
troops. His plan was to organize for .
gigantic war, to call out the whole
military power of the country at once
and the exercise Of irresistible force to
crush the rebellion in its incipiency
These views were in advance of the
times.
On the 18th of June, 1916, Sherman
was appointed Colonel in the regular
army, his appointment dating May IA
1861, and was assigned to the com
mand of the 18th infantry. On the
21st Of July occurred the unfortunate
affair of Manassas, iu which Sherman
was engaged and took an important
part. ..
When Gen. Anderson was assigned
] L y =.