72                                  HISTORY OF THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT O.V.V.I.

           In 1858 he took charge of the State Military Academy of Louisiana, but he left the office early in 1861, when it became apparent that the disunionists were getting control of the South. "On no earthly account," he wrote to the Governor of Louisiana, "will I do any act, or think any thought, hostile to, or in defiance of the old government of the United States." Such was the emphatic language of this true patriot. He went to Washington and was made Colonel, and commanded a brigade at Bull Run, which behaved well. He was subsequently promoted, and employed at different points of the West and South-west, and made a vigorous attack on Vicksburg, at the close of 1862, which failed. He was the real hero of the battle of Shiloh, in April, 1862, General Grant declaring that the defeat of the enemy was owing to him.

           In the operation that led to the fall of Vicksburg, General Sherman had a conspicuous part; and not less prominent and useful were his actions in that important campaign which saw the defeat of Bragg and Longstreet in Tennessee, and which caused 1863 to end so triumphantly to our arms. In the following winter he was actively employed at different points, and ever with effect.

           When General Grant proceeded to the East to take command in Virginia, he was succeeded in the South-west by General Sherman. The two Generals formed a grand plan of operations for 1864; and on the 7th of May General Sherman began his forward movement at the head of 98,799 soldiers and 254 guns. Atlanta was the immediate object of the movement; and after almost four months of hard marching, and harder fighting, Atlanta was taken, on the 2d of September. It was a tremendous campaign, but the skill of the General, admirably supported by the bravery of his men and the talents of his Lieutenants, surmounted everything, and the enemy felt the blows dealt them in Georgia throughout the whole Confederacy. General Sherman's reputation as a great soldier was admitted in all parts of the world. That reputation was soon to be immensely increased.

           Believing that nothing was done while anything remained to be done, General Sherman prepared to move upon Savannah; and in November, at the head of an army said to have been almost 70,000 strong, he began a march that astounded the country. Place after place fell before his advance, every effort of the rebels to resist proving vain. On the 21st of December he entered Savannah. That place he made the base of further operations, the success of which should still more completely demonstrate the weakness of the enemy.

           About the middle of January, 1865, this great commander began the last of his great marches, the object of which was the conquest of the Carolinas. Onward he went, the Carolinians being as little able to stay his advance as the Georgians had been. Charleston, which had defied us for four years, was abandoned without a fight, so completely had his combinations isolated it. Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, where secession had been hatched, was taken and partially destroyed. In short, South Carolina, that land of invincible chivalry, was subdued in a few weeks. Then came North Carolina's turn; and old Rip Van Winkle was waked up by the noise of the Federal army. That State was soon at the General's mercy; and preparations had been made for the march of his forces into Virginia, there to take part in the destruction of Lee, when General Grant took Richmond, and forced Lee to surrender. Shortly afterwards General Johnston surrendered to General Sherman, which act of rendition virtually put an end to the war.

           General Sherman is an indefatigable worker, as well as a bold and scientific fighting man. His victories were as much due to his industry as to his skill and his valor. He showed immense mental resources on every occasion. He has a true genius for war, being a born soldier. He takes great care of his troops, and they are much attached to him in return. He wins the hearts of those whom he commands, and in that way he is enabled to win great victories. His men ever were ready to go through fire and water for him, and did so go on an hundred fields.

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