"The Burning"

[Jim Klag]

September 24, 1864 - Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, USA, begins his campaign of burning the Shenandoah Valley, VA, as Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, USA, declares that if this war is to last another year, no provisions for the Confederate Army will come from the Shenandoah Valley.

The Burning: “The Fire and Sword of War” | Shenandoah at War

www.shenandoahatwar.org

 

[Jim Klag]

The Burning in Shenandoah Valley

Phil Sheridan determined to show the rebels a hot time in the Shenandoah Valley. Philip Sheridan surveyed his awful handwork with satisfaction. Plumes of

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[Jim Klag]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/flames-consume-shenandoah-valley-in-union-campaign/2014/09/11/cc7ec46c-349b-11e4-9e92-0899b306bbea_story.html

 

[Jim Klag]

The Burning: Sheridan's Devastation of the Shenandoah Valley: Heatwole, John L.: 9781883522186: Amazon.com: Books

The Burning: Sheridan's Devastation of the Shenandoah Valley [Heatwole, John L.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Burning: Sheridan's Devastation of the Shenandoah Valley

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[diane]

I've always wondered why Sherman got to be a cuss word unto the seventh generation from his trip through Georgia, but little has been said about Sheridan's trip through the valley. Sheridan was definitely the guy to send on that mission - he had a hatred of the South and its people, no problem 'smashing it up'. Anybody who thinks Grant wasn't right up there with the best of the Vandals and Goths should look at this campaign! Sherman was a kitty cat.

 

[Jim Klag]

I've always wondered why Sherman got to be a cuss word unto the seventh generation from his trip through Georgia, but little has been said about Sheridan's trip through the valley. Sheridan was definitely the guy to send on that mission - he had a hatred of the South and its people, no problem 'smashing it up'. Anybody who thinks Grant wasn't right up there with the best of the Vandals and Goths should look at this campaign! Sherman was a kitty cat.

I think part of the reason Sheridan gets a break compared to Sherman is that Little Phil genuinely tried to be selective in his destruction. Sherman's "bummers," on the other hand, were pretty indiscriminate in bulldozing their way through Georgia. The Yanks called what they left behind in Georgia "Chimneyville," indiscriminately burning homes as well as the stuff that could aid the rebels. Sheridan genuinely tried to spare homes while burning barns and gins and forges and such. Even today, if you drive through Georgia from Atlanta to Savannah, you will hear some negative comments about Uncle Billy and his bummers. I have spent a large number of visits in the Valley and, while there are many historical markers, museums, parks and other reminders, I've never heard a native Virginian badmouth Sheridan. Even in places where the war in the Valley is commemorated they are pretty subdued in their criticism of Sheridan. Maybe they're afraid he will hear them and come back to burn some more.

 

[diane]

Yes, it's the objective not necessarily the destruction. Sherman took idiots like Kilpatrick with him - he knew they'd be too zealous about things and that's what he wanted. Sheridan was told to nail the infrastructure, which he did with gusto. Sheridan used this same tactic on the Plains tribes to knock the supplies they needed out from under them. The thing was, he didn't understand the tribes - the buffalo wasn't like a cow, just food. I don't know if he ever actually understood what he'd really done.