Quotes By William Tecumseh Sherman

War is too serious a matter to leave to soldiers.

If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve.

I think I understand what military fame is; to be killed on the field of battle and have your name misspelled in the newspapers.

My aim then was to whip the rebels, to humble their pride, to follow them to their inmost recesses, and make them fear and dread us.

War is hell.

There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is all hell.

Grant stood by me when I was crazy, and I stood by him when he was drunk, and now we stand by each other.

It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell.

A battery of field artillery is worth a thousand muskets.

The voice of the people is the voice of humbug.

Every attempt to make war easy and safe will result in humiliation and disaster.

I would make this war as severe as possible, and show no symptoms of tiring till the South begs for mercy.

He belonged to that army known as invincible in peace, invisible in war.

An Army is a collection of armed men obliged to obey one man. Every change in the rules which impairs the principle weakens the army.

It's a disagreeable thing to be whipped.

My aim, then, was to whip the rebels, to humble their pride, to follow them to their inmost recesses, and make them fear and dread us. Fear is the beginning of wisdom.

War is the remedy that our enemies have chosen, and I say let us give them all they want.

If you don't have my army supplied, and keep it supplied, we'll eat your mules up, sir.

You cannot qualify war in harsher terms than I will.

If I had my choice I would kill every reporter in the world, but I am sure we would be getting reports from Hell before breakfast.

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.

I am tired and sick of war. Its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, for vengeance, for desolation. War is hell.

I know I had no hand in making this war, and I know I will make more sacrifices today than any of you to secure peace.

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

I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah.

Courage - a perfect sensibility of the measure of danger, and a mental willingness to endure it.

I will accept no commission that would tend to create a rivalry with Grant. I want him to hold what he has earned and got. I have all the rank I want.

In our Country... one class of men makes war and leaves another to fight it out.

War is at its best barbarism.

But, my dear sirs, when peace does come, you may call on me for any thing. Then will I share with you the last cracker, and watch with you to shield your homes and families against danger from every quarter.