Sherman was born on February 8, 1820, in Lancaster, Ohio. His father, Charles Robert Sherman, was a lawyer and judge, and his mother, Mary Hoyt Sherman, was a cousin of President William Henry Harrison. Sherman attended the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1836 to 1840, where he graduated sixth in his class.
After graduating from West Point, Sherman served in the Union Army during the Mexican–American War (1846–1848). He distinguished himself in battle and was promoted to the rank of captain. After the war, Sherman served as a military governor in California and as the superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point.
In 1861, the Civil War broke out, and Sherman was appointed as a colonel in the Union Army. He quickly rose through the ranks and became a major general in 1863. Sherman led a number of successful campaigns during the war, including the Battle of Shiloh (1862), the Vicksburg Campaign (1863), and the Atlanta Campaign (1864).
In 1864, Sherman was promoted to the rank of full general and was given command of all Union forces in the Western Theater. He conducted a series of destructive raids through Georgia and South Carolina, which are collectively known as Sherman's March to the Sea. These raids helped to demoralize the Confederate Army and contributed to the eventual Union victory in the war.
After the Civil War, Sherman served as the commanding general of the United States Army from 1869 to 1883. He died in New York City on February 14, 1891, at the age of 71.
Sherman was a complex and controversial figure. He was praised for his military leadership and his dedication to the Union cause, but he was also criticized for his use of total warfare and his harsh treatment of civilians during the Civil War. However, there is no doubt that Sherman was one of the most important and influential figures in American history.