"If the people raise a great howl against my barbarity and cruelty, I will answer that war is war, and not popularity seeking"

This quote by William Tecumseh Sherman, a Union general during the American Civil War, encapsulates his approach on the severe truths of war. Sherman was known for his "scorched earth" techniques, particularly during his March to the Sea, where his forces used a technique of total war, aiming not just at military targets but likewise at the economic and civilian resources that supported the Confederate war effort.

In saying "If the people raise a fantastic wail against my barbarity and ruthlessness", Sherman acknowledges the anticipated public backlash versus his ruthless and extreme military methods. He recognizes that his approaches might welcome criticism and be perceived as exceedingly harsh or inhumane. The phrase "raise an excellent growl" recommends a loud, cumulative outcry, indicating that Sherman is completely aware of the moral and ethical controversies surrounding his actions.

Sherman's subsequent assertion, "I will answer that war is war, and not popularity looking for", underscores his practical viewpoint on warfare. To him, war is a grim service that requires challenging decisions and actions that might offend public sensibilities. By specifying that war "is not popularity seeking", Sherman indicates that military actions should not be governed by the desire to maintain an excellent public image or to be liked. Rather, the focus must be on accomplishing strategic goals and bringing disputes to a quick conclusion.

His declaration reflects an utilitarian view of war: the suffering inflicted now, he argues, is validated by the possible to shorten the war and conserve lives in the long run. Sherman suggests that war is naturally harmful and that, in the chaos of fight, hard choices often require to be made that may not align with peacetime principles or public opinion. This approval of war's harsh nature highlights the tension between military need and humanitarian issues-- an argument that persists in discussions of military technique to this day.