LIFE OF
WM. TECUMSEH SHERMAN.
Late Retired General. U. S. A.
A GRAPHIC HISTORY OF HIS CAREER IN WAR AND PEACE; HIS ROMANTIC YOUTH;
HIS STERN AND PATRIOTIC MANHOOD; HIS CALM AND BEAUTIFUL
OLD AGE; A MARVELLOUS MARCH FROM THE MOUNTAINS
OF TIME TO THE SEA OF ETERNITY.
By W. FLETCHER JOHNSON,
Author of "Stanley's Adventures in Africa," "History of the Johnstown Flood,"
"Life of Sitting Bull and History of the Indian Wars," etc., etc.
Carefully Reviewed, Chapter by Chapter, and with an Introduction
By MAJ. GEN. O. O. HOWARD, U. S. A.
With Numerous Maps and Illustrations.
EDGEWOOD PUBLISHING COMPANY.
1891.
Copyright 1891, by A. R. Keller.
INTRODUCTION.
The title of this work is hardly a fair index to the contents.
The "Life of General Sherman," written with any reasonabledetail so as to depict his formative period, the gradual developmentof his energies, the bulk of his achievements and the greatconsummation of his genius, could not be contained in any threevolumes of this size.
The work, so far as the labor of the author, Mr. Johnson, isconcerned, is eclectic,—mainly a compendium.
There are beautiful sketches, choice pictorial presentations ofSherman and his environments from childhood to age. But, I donot think that the work, valuable as it undoubtedly is, could inany degree take the place of Sherman's Personal Memoirs.
There are some chapters which have been furnished by wareditorials and the writings of field correspondents which theauthor must have collected and carefully preserved.
Many of these are life-like, and bear the impress and the inspirationof the exciting events amid which they were composed.
There are, furthermore, in this book, chapters which are ingeniouslyformed and elaborated by quotations from officers whowere themselves part and parcel of the campaigns which theydescribe.
To me, the author appears to have done exceedingly well, andhas herein furnished a choice entertainment to his readers.
The part undertaken by me, and to which I have strictly confinedmyself, has been to review the work, some of it already inproof type, and the remainder in manuscript, going over each4chapter with considerable care, and suggesting such changes asI thought the truth of history demanded.
Where one has expressed an opinion and a quotation of thatopinion appears, of course no change was admissible; so that Iam entirely unwilling to assume that such a quoted writer gaveutterance to my own convictions.
For example: different views are given of the fearful struggleduring the first day of "S