Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, USA

Born in 1820 in Lancaster, Ohio and orphaned at the age of nine, Sherman graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1840. His military assignments included posts in Florida and California. He resigned his commission in 1853 to become a banker.

He re-entered the army in 1861 after the southern states had seceded and fought at Bull Run (1861) before being transferred to U. S. Grant's army and leading large army units at Shiloh, Vicksburg and Chattanooga. Sherman assumed command of the western armies from Grant when the latter was called east to lead Union forces against Lee in 1864.

Sherman probably is best known for his conquest of Atlanta in September, 1864 and his subsequent march to the sea, during which his army laid waste to a wide swath of Georgia.

The flames of Atlanta at his back, Sherman split his forces into two columns who headed unopposed for Savannah on parallel courses. With little to deter them and orders from Sherman that encouraged it, both forces plundered the farms and plantations along the way. Quickly subduing resistance from a minor Confederate force at Savannah, Sherman sent a telegram to President Lincoln offering Savannah as a Christmas present in 1864. Then he turned north.

Sherman feinted towards Charleston and Augusta and easily overcame minor resistance from the remnants of the Confederate military forces, then smashed into Charleston, SC, where it had all started. Most of the city was burned. Sherman blamed the fires on retreating confederate General Wade Hampton, who set the cotton stores on fire early in the morning, before fleeing. It was a very windy day and Sherman claimed that as fast as he could have his men extinguish blazes, new ones would be started by wind-blown sparks and flaming cotton.

After the war, Sherman was the Commander in Chief of the army for almost 15 years. His second most famous quote resulted from a suggestion that he run for president: "I will not accept if nominated, and will not serve if elected." This quote has been repeated by many other politicians over the years.