Station Two
South Wall Information
Embedded Files
2. South Wall
Coming up the sidewalk is Information on Fort Duffield, the Officers of Fort Duffield. General Sherman, whose Headquarters was in West Point. A photo of Abraham Lincoln. General William Tecumseh Sherman
Sherman’s headquarters in West Point, Kentucky—not to be confused with the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York—was located in a historic home known as the Judge Fisher House, built in 1845. This site served as Sherman’s command post in 1861, during the early stages of the Civil War.
Sherman's Headquarters in West Point, KY
Location: Intersection of Elm Street and North 4th Street, West Point, Hardin County, Kentucky
Historical Significance: Used by Sherman while commanding Union troops in the region
Structure: A private residence built in 1845, now marked by a historical plaque
Marker Inscription: Notes Sherman’s use of the house as HQ and its Civil War relevance
This site is part of a cluster of Civil War-era landmarks in West Point, including the Ditto-Lansdale House (used as a hospital) and the Salt Warehouse, which supported Union logistics.
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was a towering figure in American history—both literally and symbolically. Standing at 6'4", he was the 16th President of the United States, serving from 1861 until his assassination in 1865, and is best known for leading the country through the Civil War and abolishing slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment.
Civil War Leadership
Lincoln’s presidency was defined by the Civil War. He:
Preserved the Union against secessionist Confederate states.
Issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, reframing the war as a fight against slavery.
Delivered the Gettysburg Address, a brief but powerful speech that redefined American ideals.
Promoted the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery in the U.S..
Assassination and Legacy
On April 14, 1865, Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre and died the next morning1. His death shocked a nation already weary from war. He is remembered as one of the greatest U.S. presidents for his moral clarity, leadership, and empathy
General William Tecumseh
General William Tecumseh Sherman was one of the most formidable and controversial figures of the American Civil War. Known for his relentless strategy and psychological warfare, Sherman reshaped military doctrine and left a legacy that still sparks debate today.
Key Highlights of Sherman’s Life and Career
Early Life
Born February 8, 1820, in Lancaster, Ohio
Named after the Shawnee chief Tecumseh, reflecting his father’s admiration for Native American leadership
Raised by Senator Thomas Ewing after his father’s death; later married Ewing’s daughter, Ellen
Military Career
Graduated from West Point in 1840
Served in the Second Seminole War, but missed combat in the Mexican-American War
Resigned from the Army in 1853 to pursue banking and education, including a stint as superintendent of what is now Louisiana State University
Civil War Legacy
Sherman rejoined the Union Army in 1861 and quickly rose through the ranks:
Campaign Description
Battle of Shiloh Fought under Grant; wounded but proved his resilience
Vicksburg Campaign Helped secure control of the Mississippi River
Atlanta Campaign Captured Atlanta, a major Confederate stronghold
March to the Sea Infamous scorched-earth march from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia
Carolinas Campaign Continued destruction through the Carolinas, hastening Confederate collapse
Sherman’s tactics—especially his “total war” philosophy—were designed to break the South’s will to fight by targeting infrastructure, industry, and civilian morale. Though effective, they earned him lasting resentment in the South.
Postwar Influence
Served as Commanding General of the U.S. Army (1869–1883)
Declined multiple offers to run for president, famously saying: “I will not accept if nominated and will not serve if elected.”
Authored a widely read memoir that shaped public understanding of the war
Sherman died on February 14, 1891, in New York City and is buried in St. Louis, Missouri
Colonel William Ward Duffield
WILLIAM W. DUFFIELD
First Colonel of the Ninth Michigan Infantry
WHY HE WAS POPULAR
In a letter dated Dec. 16, 1861, Charles W Bennett wrote, "We had a bully regimental drill this afternoon and the colonel praised us highly for doing so well after being idle from drills so long because of so much sickness. We have a noble colonel. I have never heard him speak a cross word, and he is very kind to his men. Several times he has told the boys when' in line on parade, before all the officers, to report to him if their officers misused them. His greatest care is for our comfort.
The colonel of the Indiana regiment commander swears at his men when they make a mistake in drilling so he can be heard for half a mile. When we all get mixed up in drilling Colonel Duffield just indulges in a hearty laugh. Then he will say, 'Now, my lads, we will try it again.' He has threatened to file charges against the Indiana colonel for his abusive language to his men.
Colonel William Ward Duffield was a pivotal figure in Michigan’s Civil War history—engineer, soldier, and later superintendent of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Early Service: Duffield first served in the Mexican American War as adjutant of the 2nd Tennessee Infantry and later on General Gideon Pillow’s staff.
Civil War Role:
Initially joined the 4th Michigan Infantry as lieutenant colonel and fought at First Bull Run.
In October 1861, he became colonel of the 9th Michigan Infantry, leading its construction of Fort Duffield in West Point, Kentucky.
Appointed acting brigadier general in April 1862, though the Senate never confirmed the rank.
Served briefly as military governor of Kentucky in May 1862.
Battle of Murfreesboro (July 13, 1862):
Arrived with the 9th Michigan just before Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest attacked.
Duffield was wounded twice—once in the thigh and once in the groin—and captured during the battle.
He was released after a lengthy recovery and did not return to field command.
Postwar Life
After the war, Duffield managed coal mines in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Kentucky, and worked as a railroad surveyor. In 1894, he was appointed Superintendent of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, serving until 1897.
He passed away in 1907 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 3.
Colonel Charles Victor DeLand
Colonel Charles Victor DeLand was a distinguished Michigan officer whose Civil War service spanned multiple regiments and battlefronts. His legacy is tied to both the 9th Michigan Volunteer Infantry and the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, where he earned a reputation for bravery, resilience, and leadership.
Military Service Overview
Early Role: DeLand began his service by organizing Company C of the 9th Michigan Infantry in 1861. He was commissioned as Captain and served through late 1862.
Battle of Murfreesboro (July 13, 1862): He was wounded and captured during the Confederate raid led by General Nathan Bedford Forrest. DeLand spent five months in captivity before being exchanged.
Promotion and Sharpshooter Command: In 1863, DeLand was promoted to Colonel and placed in command of the newly formed 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, a regiment known for its elite marksmanship and diverse composition—including Native American soldiers in Company K.
Major Engagements:
Spotsylvania Court House (wounded, May 12, 1864)
Battle of the Crater (July 30, 1864)
Fort Pegram / Poplar Springs Church (wounded and captured again, September 30, 1864)
Final Rank: On March 13, 1865, he was brevetted Brigadier General of U.S. Volunteers for “faithful and meritorious services during the war”.
Postwar Contributions
After the war, DeLand returned to Michigan and became a newspaper editor in Saginaw. He also compiled the History of Jackson County in 1903, which remains a respected local reference. He passed away in Jackson, Michigan, on September 21, 1903, and is buried at Mount Evergreen Cemetery
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse