Sylum: Member

Born Tecumseh Sherman, his father named him after the famed Shawnee Warrior. Tecumseh was one of eleven children. Following the sudden death of his father, his mother was unable to take care of all the children, and sent him to live with Thomas Ewing. Thomas’ wife Maria, a devoted Catholic, wouldn’t allow Tecumseh into her household until he was properly baptized and was renamed William.

At age 16 he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the beginning of a long career in the military. In 1850 he married Eleanor Ewing, the daughter of Thomas and Marie, and they had eight children, all raised by their mother’s strict Catholic tendencies. In 1853 he left the military after pressure from his wife’s family, and moved to San Francisco to become a banker. The stress of banking and the climate finally led to Sherman leaving and taking up banking in Kansas. By 1859 he had taken the position as Superintendent of Louisiana State Seminary of Learning & Military Academy. With the outbreak of the Civil War, he resigned his commission and moved North.

He first saw combat at the First Battle of Bull Run (also known as the Battle of Mananas). His wounds and the defeat by the Confederacy led him to question himself and the war. After spending time to recover, he was assigned to General Hiram Ulysses Grant. The two struck up a strong friendship which changed the course of the War.

When Grant broke his leg entering into New Orleans, they were taken in by Sylum Manor. When the Manor was attacked by Raiders, Sherman was mortally wounded. Jack Aubrey, knowing the importance this man had on the war and on Grant, asked if he wanted to be turned. Sherman consented.