Jean Wilcox Hibben set out to explore a story she heard as a child about a great-grandfather, a scholar and musician who was heralded for serving as Union General William Sherman's scribe during his historic "march to the sea" and capture of Savannah, Ga.

WSJ: When a Genealogy Hobby Digs Up Unwanted Secrets

William Tecumseh Sherman was one of the most intelligent men ever to wear the stars of a general, but for the past few days he had played the fool.

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