Some have called him brutal, others have called him a genius, but the fact is in war, it only pays to win. General William Tecumseh Sherman was an advocate for winning. In order to win, he knew that hard decisions had to be made. He engaged in "total war". His "scorched earth" policy drove the Confederacy to surrender as it dismantled their ability to wage war.All across Georgia and the Carolina's Sherman's troops destroyed infrastructure necessary to the war effort. It was a hard decision, to fight one's own former countrymen, to destroy their ability to wage war. General Sherman to this day is not a popular guy to many in the south as accusations of war crimes still linger around his name. Did he know how his actions would forever impact and change the world? Without men like he, willing to do the hard things, would the North still have won?It is unknown, but for the preservation of the Union and the ultimate end of slavery in the United States, General Sherman knew the only way for peace to be achieved was through victory. General William Tecumseh Sherman knew he should win. Whatever his personal convictions were, he was tasked with a mission and his mission was to accomplish such. His mission was to win, but even he, like many other fighting men from the dawn of time, became tired of the fighting. Writing after the war's end,"I confess, without shame, I am sick and tired of fighting—its glory is all moonshine; even success the most brilliant is over dead and mangled bodies, with the anguish and lamentations of distant families, appealing to me for sons, husbands and fathers ... tis only those who have never heard a shot, never heard the shriek and groans of the wounded and lacerated ... that cry aloud for more blood, more vengeance, more desolation." -General William Tecumseh Sherman

Mind you though, this was after he had won. When it comes to wars of this nation, most of the time we, the individuals play a very small part in the decision, but if we are to go, we should win."But, my dear sirs, when peace does come, you may call on me for anything. Then will I share with you the last cracker, and watch with you to shield your homes and families against danger from every quarter." - William Tecumseh Sherman to the City of Atlanta.Read more stories of American Grit here:

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