William Tecumseh Sherman : in the service of my country : a life / James Lee McDonough.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McDonough, James L., 1934- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891.

Sherman, William T.

United States. Army--Biography.

United States.

United States. Army.

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Biography.

History.

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Campaigns.

Generals--United States--Biography.

Generals.

Military campaigns.

Genre:

Biographies.

History.

Physical Description:

xiii, 816 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps, portraits ; 25 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., [2016]

Summary:

"A major new biography of one of Americas most storied military figures. General Sherman's 1864 burning of Atlanta solidified his legacy as a ruthless leader. Yet Sherman proved far more complex than his legendary military tactics reveal. James Lee McDonough offers fresh insight into a man tormented by the fear that history would pass him by, who was plagued by personal debts, and who lived much of his life separated from his family. As a soldier, Sherman evolved from a spirited student at West Point into a general who steered the Civil War's most decisive campaigns, rendered here in graphic detail. Lamenting casualties, Sherman sought the war's swift end by devastating Southern resources in the Carolinas and on his famous March to the Sea. This meticulously researched biography explores Sherman's warm friendship with Ulysses S. Grant, his strained relationship with his wife, Ellen, and his unassuageable grief over the death of his young son, Willy. The result is a remarkable, comprehensive life of an American icon whose legacy resonates to this day." --Publisher description.

Contents:

Prologue : Death stared us all in the face

My father named me William Tecumseh

I was notified to prepare for West Point

In the service of my country

Sand and sun, Seminoles and Spaniards

Military camaraderie, Southern aristocracy, prospective matrimony

And then there was a war on

Deprived of military glory

California again; a brand-new game

Golden State banker

I was fit for the army but nothing else

In a hell of a fix

No man can foresee the end

Action at Bull Run

"Crazy" in Kentucky

Triumphant in Tennessee

This is no common war

The strongest place I ever saw

The river of our greatness is free

Why was I not killed at Vicksburg?

One hundred thousand strong

I knew more of Georgia than the rebels did

I want a bold push for Atlanta

It's a big game, but I know I can do it

Taking the war to the braggart Carolinians

A soldier of renown

General-in-chief, I

General-in-chief, II

We can only bow to the inevitable.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 725-785) and index.

ISBN:

9780393241570

0393241572

OCLC:

939911299