Sherman (X): Never judge a battle by what you first encounter in the rear
General Sherman on coming to the scene of a battle: "I never saw the rear of an army engaged in battle but I feared that some calamity had happened at the front — the apparent confusion, broken wagons, crippled horses, men lying about dead and maimed, parties hastening to and fro in seeming disorder, and ...
General Sherman on coming to the scene of a battle:
General Sherman on coming to the scene of a battle:
"I never saw the rear of an army engaged in battle but I feared that some calamity had happened at the front — the apparent confusion, broken wagons, crippled horses, men lying about dead and maimed, parties hastening to and fro in seeming disorder, and a general apprehension of something dreadful about to ensue; all these signs, however, lessened as I neared the front, and there the contrast was complete — perfect order, men and horses full of confidence."
Thomas E. Ricks is a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy. Twitter: @tomricks1
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