General William Tecumseh Sherman's role in ending slavery
Historians can provide you with numerous details regarding Major Hoyt Sherman and his brother General William Tecumseh Sherman’s vital roles in ending slavery which ultimately lead up to Presidents Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and subsequently the very first Juneteenth Celebration on June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas.
Today, we should all be very proud to have such and honorable legacy in our founding family and take a moment to celebrate the fact that Juneteenth will soon be an official federal Holiday after President Biden signs into law a Bill passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives yesterday. I find the excerpt below from the New York Daily Tribune from February 13, 1865 extremely powerful and telling about the character of General Sherman.
“Minutes of the Interview Between the Colored Ministers and Church Officers at Savannah With the Secretary of War and Major Gen. Sherman” New York Daily Tribune, Feb. 13, 1865 (New York, New York).
Question: State what is the feeling of the colored people in regard to Gen. Sherman; and how far do they regard his sentiments and actions as friendly to their rights and interests, or otherwise?
Answer: We looked upon Gen. Sherman prior to his arrival as a man in the Providence of God specially set apart to accomplish this work, and we unanimously feel inexpressible gratitude to him, looking upon him as a man that should be honored for the faithful performance of his duty. Some of us called upon him immediately upon his arrival, and it is probable he would not meet the Secretary with more courtesy than he met us. His conduct and deportment toward us characterized him as a friend and a gentleman. We have confidence in Gen. Sherman, and think that what concerns us could not be under better hands. This is our opinion now from the short acquaintance and interest we have had.
Available through the Freedmen and Southern Society Project from the University of Maryland
Robert Warren
Executive Director
Hoyt Sherman Place