General Sherman and his horse. This view was taken in the trenches before Atlanta, Georgia, 1865. Edward and Henry T. Anthony & Co. (American, 1862 - 1902). Albumen silver print. William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891) was an American general in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861-65), for which he received recognition for his outstanding command of military strategy as well as criticism for the harshness of the "scorched earth" policies that he implemented in conducting total war against the Confederate States.