And Indians.
"One of Sherman's main concerns in postwar commands was to protect the construction and operation of the railroads from attack by hostile Indians. Sherman's views on Indian matters were often strongly expressed.
"He regarded the railroads 'as the most important element now in progress to facilitate the military interests of our Frontier.' Hence, in 1867, he wrote to Grant t
hat 'we are not going to let a few thieving, ragged Indians check and stop the progress of [the railroads].' [110]
"After the 1866 Fetterman Massacre, Sherman wrote Grant that we must act with vindictive earnestness against the Sioux, even to their extermination, men, women and children.'[111]
"After George Armstrong Custer's defeat at the Battle of Little Bighorn, Sherman wrote that 'hostile savages like Sitting Bull and his band of outlaw Sioux ... must feel the superior power of the Government.' [112] He further wrote that 'during an assault, the soldiers can not pause to distinguish between male and female, or even discriminate as to age.'[113]
"Despite his harsh treatment of the warring tribes, Sherman spoke out against the unfair way speculators and government agents treated the natives within the reservations."
William Tecumseh Sherman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia