Murtala Mohammed vs William Tecumseh Sherman

Mohammed launched a major anti-corruption campaign, retired thousands of civil servants and military officers, and restructured the government. He also announced plans to move the federal capital from Lagos to Abuja and created new states.

General Murtala Mohammed was appointed Head of State of Nigeria on July 29, 1975, after a bloodless coup that overthrew General Yakubu Gowon. Mohammed promised to restore discipline and tackle corruption in the oil-rich nation.

Murtala Mohammed was assassinated on February 13, 1976, in Lagos during a failed coup attempt led by Lieutenant Colonel Buka Suka Dimka. His death after only 200 days in power shocked Nigeria and led to the ascension of Olusegun Obasanjo.

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.