General William Tecumseh Sherman was a prominent Union general during the American Civil War. Born on February 8, 1820, in Lancaster, Ohio, he is best known for his strategy of total war, particularly during his famous March to the Sea in 1864. This campaign aimed to destroy the South's economic resources and morale, significantly contributing to the Union's victory. Sherman graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and served in various military roles before the Civil War. After the war, he became the commanding general of the United States Army and played a key role in the post-war reconstruction efforts.