nel, to take up banking in California.
             On February 22, 1855 there was a run on the banks in California but thanks to Sherman's management, his back was one of the only banks to survive. It became too risky to keep the bank in California so they closed it down and then reopened in New York. However with the panic of 1858 came the closing of this bank too. For a while after this he took up the practice of Law in the firm Sherman & Ewing. He could not provide enough for his family so he also had to take up farming for a brief time in 1859. When this also failed to bring in profit he turned to his military friends in attempt to get an appointment in the army. In July of 1859 he was elected superintendent of a proposed military college in Louisiana.
             Some of his best days were spent as the superintendent of the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning Military Academy, but it changed quickly in December of 1860 with the secession of South Carolina and many of the other Southern States. Louisiana also followed in January of 1861. Sherman believed strongly in the Union and felt it treason to talk of secession. When Louisiana left the Union, Sherman resolved to leave the Academy. As soon as Sherman could tidy up at the Academy he headed north and took a position with the St. Louis Railroad Company.
             Just prior to the bombing of Fort Sumter Sherman received a dispatch asking him to accept the chief clerkship of the War Department, also saying that they would make him assistant Secretary of War when Congress meets. Sherman declined the post and said later he believed his decline lead the Lincoln administration to believe that he would also prove to be false to his country. He later sent a note to the Secretary of War saying that he would however render his service if it were needed.
             On the 14th of May Sherman was appointed colonel of the Thirteenth Regular Infantry. When he got to Washington he was put into command of a brigade...