The lessons of the American Civil War and lessons for the modern martial artist and the art. The American Civil War was a transition from methods centuries old, of human warfare, to new methods of waging war. The similarities of what the Martial Artist face and the challenges of the civil war are lessons from history that should be heeded. The civil war was absolute carnage concerning the loss of life and destruction. The martial arts don’t face such a level of loss, however, listen to the similarities of the transition points. And the warning from William Tecumseh Sherman.