Who was William T. Sherman?

William T. Sherman was a significant figure in American military history, particularly known for his role as a Union general during the Civil War. He is most famous for his strategic military campaign called “Sherman's March to the Sea,” during which he led his troops from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia, in 1864. This campaign aimed not only to defeat Confederate forces but also to destroy their resources and infrastructure to undermine the Southern war effort. Sherman's approach was characterized by total war, which sought to break the will of the Confederacy through the destruction of civilian and economic resources. This strategy highlighted the harsh realities of war and its impact on both the battlefield and the civilian population.

The other options do not accurately represent Sherman's historical role. He was never a president, and he was not a Confederate general; in fact, he fought for the Union. Additionally, while there were many notable abolitionists during this period, Sherman himself was primarily a military leader rather than a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement.