Sherman’s March to History Channel 4/22
8 April 2007
Like most Civil War bloggers, I get occasional requests to promote/review books or other works. Most are simply advertising and, unless very closely related to the combat at Sharpsburg in 1862, not usually right for this space.
But I got a nicely written email from Terry Goldman representing the History Channel offering a full press kit and web goodies promoting their upcoming film Sherman’s March (airing 22 April 2007). A teaser video says its a ‘spectacular reenactment’ and ‘psychological profile’ of William T Sherman.
Bill Oberst, Jr as Gen William T Sherman
I don’t know anything else about the show, but I think Terry’s courteous and professional approach to publicity deserves a little airtime here.
[
April 22nd, 2007 at 11:55 pm
I just now finished viewing “The History Channel’s” version of Sherman’s march to the sea. What a waste of time. Just another attempt at the ethnic cleansing of the South. You see, my Great Grandfather was part of all of that. There are still some Southerners that know what really happened during that dreadful period of American history.
Descendant of Pvt. J.M. Dean, K Company, 53rd. Reg’t. Alabama Cavalry (Partisan Rangers) Gen. J. Wheeler’s Cav. Army of Tenn. C.S.A.
April 23rd, 2007 at 11:48 am
Thanks for the comment, Bob.
April 23rd, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Enjoyed the program last night, although on balance, it was a pro-Sherman account. It made no mention of Sherman’s rebuke by Lincoln’s cabinet of the generous surrender terms Sherman offered to Joe Johnston’s forces in early 1865.
April 23rd, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Thanks for the viewpoint Charles. Between you and Bob it looks like I should have taken the HC up on the offer of the show on DVD. With no cable, I may not get the chance to see it myself …
April 25th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Sherman’s March: The Glorification of a Terrorist
 
I tuned in to the History channel last week to see the historical account of Sherman’s March across Georgia. Instead, I saw a terrorist being glorified and his actions being justified. The opening scene with the map of “slave and free states” was inaccurate and it went downhill from there. Little from the Confederate perspective was included. Details of Griswoldville, Cassville, the terrorist soldiers with their wagons, horses, and pockets loaded with stolen personal property and leaving in their path complete destruction of anything useable or edible were omitted. Women and children were left homeless and starving with winter approaching. Had there been a legitimate War Crimes Commission at the time, it would have been Sherman and not Henry Wirz to hang from a gallows.
Here are some Sherman quotes:
 
“To the petulant and persistent secessionists, why, death is mercy, and the quicker he or she is disposed of the better. Satan and the rebellious saints of Heaven were allowed a continuous existence in hell merely to swell their punishment. To such as would rebel against a Government so mild and just as ours was in peace, a punishment equal would not be unjustified.”
— Union General William T. Sherman
 
“Until we can repopulate Georgia, it is useless to occupy it, but the utter destruction of its roads, houses, and people will cripple their military resources. I can make the march, and make Georgia howl.”
— Union General William T. Sherman
 
“There is a class of people [in the South], men, women, and children, who must be killed or banished before you can hope for peace and order.”
— Union General William T. Sherman
 
“The Government of the United States has in north Alabama any and all rights which they choose to enforce in war – to take their lives, their homes, their lands, their everything, because they cannot deny that war does exist there, and war is simply power unrestrained by constitution or compact.”
— Union General William T. Sherman
 
“Next year their lands will be taken, for in war we can take them, and rightfully too, and another year they may beg in vain for their lives. A people who will persevere in war beyond a certain limit ought to know the consequences. Many many people, with less pertinacity than the South, have been wiped out of national existence. To those who submit to the rightful law and authority, all gentleness and forbearance; but to the petulant and persistent secessionist, why, death is mercy, and the quicker he or she is disposed of the better.”
— Union General William T. Sherman
 
“The United States has the right, and…the…power, to penetrate to every part of the national domain. We will remove and destroy every obstacle – if need be, take every life, every acre of land, every particle of property, everything that to us seems proper.”
— Union General William T. Sherman
 
“We are in our enemy’s country, and I act accordingly…the war will soon assume a turn to extermination not of soldiers alone, that is the least part of the trouble, but the people.”
— Union General William T. Sherman, writing to his wife in 1862
 
“The more Indians we can kill this year, the less will have to be killed next year, for the more I see of these Indians, the more convinced I am that they all have to be killed or be maintained as a species of paupers.”
— Union General William T. Sherman
 
“I profess to fight for but one single purpose, viz, to sustain a Government capable of vindicating it’s just and rightful authority, independent of niggers, cotton, money, or any earthly interest!”
— Union General William T. Sherman, Official Records, Vol XXX, pt. IV, p. 235
April 25th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
Sorry to be slow reponding, David.
Let me say I appreciate all the work you must have done to find all these quotes. I don’t know that anyone would argue Sherman was a great humanitarian, though – the arguments seem to revolve around (1) how severe was the destruction/civilian impact in Georgia, (2) was Sherman’s policy military necessity, and/or (3) did it shorten the War.
No question where you stand!
April 26th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Brian,
Are you running for office?
Harry
April 26th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Just being a polite host, Harry, respecting the effort. I have no dog in this fight. Only know what I don’t know. You gotta problem with that? :)
April 28th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Dear, Brian I am inclined to present a presentation and 15 page essay to my American History 1 class by May 11, 2007. I would be overly delighted to have some book references or factful websites ending in .gov or .edu for my required 8 references I am to use. 5 book citations and 3 websites. My title for my research paper is William T. Sherman Hero or Terrorist. I would not at all mind to here your view on this matter.
Sincerely,
Dustin R Smith
April 28th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Okay bAotW readers: any help for Dustin here?
May 1st, 2007 at 9:56 am
For those interested in this subject, see a treatment more appreciative of Sherman by John F. Marszalek in his 2005 book Sherman’s March to the Sea [h-net review]