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William Tecumseh Sherman Quotes

U.S. General

William Tecumseh Sherman was a prominent American military leader known for his actions during the American Civil War. He is famous for his 'scorched earth' policy, which aimed to destroy the economic and military infrastructure of the South to weaken its fighting ability.

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Famous William Tecumseh Sherman Quotes

“We cannot change the hearts of the people of the South, but we can make war so terrible that they will realize the fact that however brave and gallant and devoted to their country still they are mortal and should exhaust all peaceful remedies before they fly to war.”

People Should Heart Stills War Country Facts Realizing Terrible Brave South Peaceful Mortals Remedy Devoted Gallant

Author:William Tecumseh Sherman

“You might as well appeal against the thunder-storm as against these terrible hardships of war. They are inevitable, and the only way the people of Atlanta can hope once more to live in peace and quiet at home, is to stop the war, which can only be done by admitting that it began in error and is perpetuated in pride.”

People Way Wells War Done Home Might Pride Terrible Quiet Errors Storm Appeals Inevitable Hardship Thunder Admitting Atlanta Peace And Quiet

Book:Memoirs of General William T. Sherman

Source: Memoirs of General William T. Sherman

“I make up my opinions from facts and reasoning, and not to suit any body but myself. If people don't like my opinions, it makes little difference as I don't solicit their opinions or votes.”

People Ifs Littles Facts Body Differences Opinion Vote Suits Reasoning Graphic Design

Author:William Tecumseh Sherman

“This war differs from other wars, in this particular. We are not fighting armies but a hostile people, and must make old and young, rich and poor, feel the hard hand of war.”

People Feels War Hard Hands Young Fighting Poor Rich Particular Army Hostile Rich And Poor

Book:Memoirs of General William T. Sherman

Source: Memoirs of General William T. Sherman

“You cannot qualify war in harsher terms than I will. War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the curses and maledictions a people can pour out. I know I had no hand in making this war, and I know I will make more sacrifices to-day than any of you to secure peace.”

People Knows War Country Hands Term Sacrifice Deserve Cruelty Our Country Secure Curse Malediction

Author:William Tecumseh Sherman

“The voice of the people is the voice of humbug.”

People Voice Latin Tumult Humbug Spanish Proverb Latin Phrases Vox Populi

Author:William Tecumseh Sherman

“At first you will make headway, but as your limited resources begin to fail, shut out from the markets of Europe as you will be, your cause will begin to wane. If your people will but stop and think, they must see that in the end you will surely fail.”

People Ifs Thinking Firsts Ends Causes Failing Resources Europe Civil War American Civil War Limited Resources

Author:William Tecumseh Sherman

“Many and many a person in Georgia asked me why we did not go to South Carolina; and, when I answered that we were en route for that State, the invariable reply was, - Well, if you will make those people feel the utmost severities of war, we will pardon you for your desolation of Georgia.”

People Ifs Feels Wells Persons War States South Civil War Routes Pardon Georgia Carolina Desolation Severity South Carolina

Book:Memoirs of General William T. Sherman

Source: Memoirs of General William T. Sherman

“You people of the South don't know what you are doing. This country will be drenched in blood, and God only knows how it will end.”

People Knows War Ends Country Know How Blood South Civil War American Civil War

Author:William Tecumseh Sherman

“The North can make a steam engine, locomotive or railway car; hardly a yard of cloth or a pair of shoes can you make. You are rushing into war with one of the most powerful, ingeniously mechanical and determined people on earth - right at your doors. You are bound to fail. Only in spirit and determination are you prepared for war. In all else you are totally unprepared, with a bad cause to start with.”

“You people speak so lightly of war; you don't know what you're talking about. War is a terrible thing!”

People Knows War Speak Talking Terrible Civil War Terrible Things American Civil War

Author:William Tecumseh Sherman

“You mistake, too, the people of the North. They are a peaceable people but an earnest people, and they will fight, too. They are not going to let this country be destroyed without a mighty effort to save it. Besides, where are your men and appliances of war to contend against them?”

People Men War Country Fighting Effort Mistake Destroyed Civil War Earnest American Civil War Appliances

Author:William Tecumseh Sherman

“If the people raise a great howl against my barbarity and cruelty, I will answer that war is war, and not popularity seeking.”

People Ifs War Answers Raises Seeking Cruelty Popularity Howl Barbarity

Book:Supplemental report of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War: in two volumes ; supplemental to Senate report no. 142, 38th Congress, 2d session

Source: Supplemental report of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War: in two volumes ; supplemental to Senate report no. 142, 38th Congress, 2d session