S. H. M. Byers

S. H. M. Byers
Born(1838-07-23)July 23, 1838
DiedMay 24, 1933(1933-05-24) (aged 94)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationPoet
Known for
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnion Army
Years of service
  • 1840–1853
  • 1861–1884
RankBrevet major
Unit5th Iowa Infantry Regiment

Samuel Hawkins Marshall Byers (July 23, 1838 – May 24, 1933) was an American soldier and poet who wrote the poem "Sherman's March to the Sea", which was the origin of the eponymous term. Byers served in the 5th Iowa Infantry Regiment. He found success in a post-war writing career, including many poems about his native Iowa, including "The Song of Iowa", which was declared as Iowa's state song in 1911.