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Sherman's Birth
Sherman was born in Lancaster, Ohio to a distinguished family of eleven children. His father, a wealthy lawyer, worked on Ohio's Supreme Court. -
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Life Before The War
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Sherman's Father Dies
Sherman's father died unexpectantly, so he and his family moved in with a family friend, Tomas Ewing. This move proved to later advance Sherman. -
U.S. Military Academy Appointment
Ewing, who had taken over care of the Sherman family, got Sherman appointed as a cadet to the US. Military Academy at West Point as Ewing serveda s a US Senator and the US Secretary of the Interior. -
Graduation and Entering Army
Sherman spent his years at West Point as an excellent student academically, but an undisplicned cadet. His attitude and general appearance turned off his superiors, as he was somewhat of a "class clown". He graduated sixth of his class but claimed he would've had a higher placing if not for his high number of demerits. After graduation, Sherman entered the army in the 3rd US Artillery. -
Arrival at San Francisco
With fellow liutenant Edward Otho Cresap Ord, Sherman arrived at Monterey on this day. He arrived right before Yerba Buena was renamed San Francisco. -
Tour of Gold Fields
After the discovery of gold by Sutter, Sherman organized an expedition to tour the gold fields. He accompained Col. Richard Barnes Marson, the miliary governor of California, on this tour. They were trying to gather information for a report to President Polk and the US government. -
Marriage
Sherman married Eleanor Boyle Ewing, who was the daughter of Thomas Ewing, who had raised Sherman. Many important political people attended the wedding, as Ewing was the US Secretary of the Interior. Sherman was also promoted to captain in the army during this year. -
Resigning from Army
Sherman resigned his commission in the army in this year, to become a manager in a San Francisco bank for Lucas, Tuner, & Co. -
Major-General of California Militia
Governor J. Johnson appointed Sherman the major-general over the San Francisco division of the California militia. This move occurred after the Committee of Vigilance took prisionors from the people in the country jail, and the governor had to call him up. -
Committee of Vigiliance Work
Sherman served as the foreman on the Grand Jury for San Franciso after the Committee of Vigilance was dissovled -
Leaving California
Sherman and his family took the "Sonora" to leave California. This move occured after his bank closed in May, and he moved New York to continue banking. Afer his bank failed, he moved to Leavenworth, Kansas. He tried his hand at law here, but was unsuccessful. -
Superintendent of Lousiana State Seminary and Military Academy
After a failure in law in Kansas, Sherman accepted a position as the president of the Lousiana State Seminary and Military Academy in Louisana. This academy moved to Baton Rouge after the war. Two of his southern friends, Beauregard and Bragg, offered him the position. He was the first president of what is now the most prestigious and beloved Southern Univeristies and grew to love the southern way of life during his time there. -
Resigning from the University
After Louisana's seccession from the Union, Sherman resigned from his post. He wanted to remain loyal to the Union. -
Civil War
A short time after resigning from his superintendent poistion at LSU, Sherman got a commission as a colonel in the 13th US Infantry regiment. This move began his Civil War military career.
