text: He served as a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War ( 1861 â `` 65 ) , for which he received recognition for his outstanding command of military strategy as well as criticism for the harshness of the `` scorched earth '' policies that he implemented in conducting total war against the Confederate States .
simplified: He served as a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War ( 1861 â `` 65 ) .