Feng Yuxiang vs William Tecumseh Sherman

Feng Yuxiang converted to Christianity, earning him the nickname 'The Christian General'. He required his soldiers to attend Christian services and promoted Christian ethics within his army. This conversion was unusual among Chinese warlords and influenced his governance style.

Feng Yuxiang staged the Beijing Coup, overthrowing the Zhili clique government and capturing Beijing. He invited Sun Yat-sen to discuss national unification. The coup led to the establishment of a provisional government under Duan Qirui and temporarily shifted the balance of power among warlords.

Feng Yuxiang defected from the Fengtian clique and allied with the Nationalist government under Chiang Kai-shek. He participated in the Northern Expedition, helping to defeat other warlords. This alliance strengthened the Nationalist cause but also led to conflicts with other warlords.

Feng Yuxiang joined the anti-Chiang Kai-shek coalition in the Central Plains War. His forces were defeated by Chiang's National Revolutionary Army. The defeat ended Feng's military power and forced him into retirement. He later fled to the Soviet Union.

Sherman commanded a division at Shiloh, where his initial failure to entrench led to a surprise Confederate attack. Despite heavy losses, he rallied his troops and contributed to the Union victory, though the battle was criticized for poor preparation.

Sherman played a key role in Grant's Vicksburg Campaign, leading assaults and siege operations. The capture of Vicksburg gave the Union control of the Mississippi River, splitting the Confederacy in two.

Sherman led 60,000 Union troops from Atlanta to Savannah, destroying railroads, factories, and civilian property in a 300-mile swath. The campaign aimed to break Confederate morale and economic capacity, and resulted in the capture of Savannah.

Sherman led his army through the Carolinas, destroying infrastructure and supplies. The campaign culminated in the capture of Columbia, South Carolina, and the surrender of Confederate forces under Joseph Johnston, effectively ending the war in the East.