Tom Worthington’s Civil War: Shiloh, Sherman, and the Search for Vindication

In 1807, Thomas Worthington was born into a wealthy and powerful Ohio family. Though his path in life should have led to fortune and prestige, he died alone and penniless, having spent his life and his fortune trying to remove the stain of shame from his reputation and name.

This is the previously untold story of Worthington, West Point graduate, leader of men in both the Mexican War and War Between the States, and bitter enemy of the man who would ruin his life - General William Tecumseh Sherman. As commander of the 46th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Worthington valiantly led his men into battle at Shiloh, but his knowledge of Sherman’s blunders, both before and during the battle, resulted in his being illegally court-martialed and cashiered out of the Army. The last twenty years of his life were spent in a desperate quest to tell his side of the story, the true events of Shiloh as he saw them. Colonel Worthington’s story is one of war, both public and personal, honor, and a quest for vindication. Photographs and maps illustrate Worthington’s dramatic life and struggle.