Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Thomas West Sherman (March 26, 1813 December 31, 1879) was a United States Army officer with service during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War.Sherman, known to his friends as "Tim," was born in Newport, Rhode Island, and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1836. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 3rd U.S. Artillery. He took a distinguished part in the Battle of Buena Vista, leading his battery in a defensive action helping to stop the Mexican attack, and was brevetted to major for his actions.