significance of sherman's march to the sea

significance of sherman's march to the sea2020/09/28

Major General William Tecumseh Sherman was a contradiction embodied. Union forces sustained more than 1,300 casualties, whereas the Confederates suffered roughly 2,300. The death count on November 15, 1864 stood at around 12,100. Sherman, reading the paper later in the day, was moved by Byers' poem, and promoted Byers to his staff; the two became lifelong friends. But what next? In a November 6 telegram to Grant, he had argued that to every onlooker, the destruction of Georgias economic and industrial potential would be proof positive that the North can prevail in this contest, leaving only open the question of its willingness to use that power. Far more than a mere display of brute force, Shermans wager would prove to be equal parts political and psychological. On December 24th, Sherman then presented the Savannah to President Lincoln as a Christmas present. Sherman would later defend Daviss actions at Ebenezer Creek as a necessary reality of war. [29] After a successful two-month campaign, Sherman accepted the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston and his forces in North Carolina on April 26, 1865.[30]. Like the morale-focused campaigns of future generals, Shermans march squeezed out a victory with ruthless precision. Overnight, Union engineers constructed a bridge 2 miles (3.2km) away from the bluff across the Oconee River, and 200 soldiers crossed to flank the Confederate position. Although his formal orders (excerpted below) specified control over destruction of infrastructure in areas in which his army was unmolested by guerrilla activity, he recognized that supplying an army through liberal foraging would have a destructive effect on the morale of the civilian population it encountered in its wide sweep through the state.[10]. I suppose it will be safer if I leave General Grant and yourself to decide. It was a strange end to a destructive month, but perhaps it should not have been unexpected. Hood had taken the bulk of forces in Georgia on his campaign to Tennessee in hopes of diverting Sherman to pursue him. He destroyed much of the South's potential and psychology to wage war. Soldiers dug up buried food, valuables and keepsakes, seemingly at will. The March to the Sea, which culminated with the fall of Savannah in December 1864, cut a swath of torn-up railroads, pillaged farms and burned-out plantations through the Georgia countryside . General Sherman's March to the Sea was historic. He ordered Major General George Thomas and the U.S. Army of the Cumberland to follow and engage Hood's Army of Tennessee. Not all of the destruction was even Shermans doing: some one-third of the citys buildings were in ruins as a result of entrenchments dug by the Confederates and the detonation of ammunition performed as part of Hoods evacuation. So Sherman proposed to split his Union force, taking 62,000 of his best troops on a destructive march, while Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas used the remainder to contain Hood. Dozens drowned, and Wheeler captured many of those who lived. The destruction wreaked by the operation caused significant Confederate economic loss and diminished Confederate morale, generating deep resentment in Southerners. The March to the Sea was no off-the-cuff reaction by Sherman to finding himself in Atlanta in September 1864 and knowing he could not remain there. The 360-mile march extended from Atlanta in central . 120 (series 1864) were military orders issued during the American Civil War, on November 9, 1864, by Major General William Tecumseh Sherman of the Union Army. The field order also permitted able-bodied Black labourers to join the march, but commanding officers were instructed to remain cognizant of supplies intended for their army group. He saw destruction of property as less onerous than casualties. Pleasant J. Phillips, came upon part of Shermans rear guard of some 1,700 men. As the army would be out of touch with the North throughout the campaign, Sherman gave explicit orders, Sherman's Special Field Orders, No. done with more spirit, or in better harmony of time and place. The purpose of Shermans March to the Sea was to frighten Georgias civilian population into abandoning the Confederate cause. [1] Thomas would go on to defeat Hood, leaving Sherman's main army effectively unopposed. Union troops burned it to the ground. His focus on crushing civilian morale presaged the bloody World Wars of the 20th century. Eighty percent of the remaining soldiers were long-time veterans of campaigns in both the Western theatre, primarily, and the Eastern, a minority. With Kilpatrick as a mobile screen, Howard took the right wing southeast of Atlanta in the direction of Macon, while Slocums left wing marched east toward Augusta. During this time he ordered the evacuation of some 3,000 civilians and seized their homes for his soldiers living quarters. He had become familiar with Grant while researching his well-received Our FREE Virtual Teacher Institute is the can't miss online educator event of the summer. Sherman wanted only the "best fighting material." Sherman was reluctant to set off on a wild goose chase across the South, however, and so he split his troops into two groups. [34], The March to the Sea was devastating to Georgia and the Confederacy. The pacification of Georgia cut the Confederacy in half and denied the insurgent states much of their former industrial and agricultural capacity. He returned at the Battle of Shiloh to victory and then gathered 100,000 troops . And even in this Union army of liberation, the racism of the age was still prevalent throughout the ranks. VII. Confederate Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood was threatening Chattanooga, and Sherman detached two armies under Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas to deal with Hood in the FranklinNashville campaign. He and the Union Army's commander, Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, believed that the Civil War would come to an end only if the Confederacy's strategic capacity for warfare could be decisively broken. He seemed to be everywhere at once, and as he grew ever-larger in the Southern imagination, rumors about where he was and what he did to white women and slaves came to be accepted as fact. Burke Davis' Sherman's March is brief and readable, though pitched to the general reader rather than scholars. Elements of the decline in agriculture persisted through 1920".[38]. With the Georgia state legislature having quit the capital, Union troops held a mock legislative session and voted to repeal Georgias ordinance of secession. "[24] On December 26, the president replied in a letter:[25]. Both U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and General Ulysses S. Grant had serious reservations about Sherman's plans. Sherman demanded surrender, and he would accept nothing less, so his men tore through the Palmetto State. An army of individuals trained in the school of experience to look after their own food and health, to march far and fast with the least fatigue, to fight with the least exposure, above all, to act swiftly and to work thoroughly. Acting as the rear guard for the army, on December 9, 1864, Federals under the command of Maj. Gen. Jefferson C. Davis were crossing the flooded Ebenezer Creek on a pontoon bridge. On the ground and on a much smaller scale, Sherman pioneered this process, becoming the first American to do so systematically. Knowing that Confederate cavalry was nearby, the fugitives, fearful of being captured and killed or re-enslaved, panicked. Shermans army reached the sea, took Fort McAllister and re-tied itself to a naval supply line. Whereas more than 6,500,000 women in the United States are living with endometriosis; Whereas endometriosis is a chronic disease that can be painful and debilitating and affects This effect was likely compounded by the armys continued railroad destruction. Shermans March to the Sea spanned some 285 miles (459 km) over 37 days. The ensuing campaign and siege occupied most of the summer, with Sherman finally forcing a surrender on September 2. Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window), Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window), Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window), Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window), Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window), Getty Images / Print Collector / Contributor, https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/shermans-march. Sherman's armies reached the outskirts of Savannah on December 10 but found that Hardee had entrenched 10,000 men in favorable fighting positions, and his soldiers had flooded the surrounding rice fields, leaving only narrow causeways available to approach the city. Between 17,000 and 25,000 enslaved Black people were freed while on the march, including more than 7,500 in and around Savannah. At the Battle of Buck Head Creek on November 28, Kilpatrick was surprised and nearly captured, but the 5th Ohio Cavalry halted Wheeler's advance, and Wheeler was later stopped decisively by Union barricades at Reynolds's Plantation. General Ulysses S. Grant. Sherman himself is remembered through a nearly ubiquitous photograph, with a glare so icy it can chill us even across time. Federal Identification Number (EIN): 54-1426643. [12] On December 20, Hardee led his men across the Savannah River on a makeshift pontoon bridge. Shermans troops arrived in Savannah on December 21, 1864, about three weeks after they left Atlanta. "[20] The 300-mile (480km) march began on November 15. Sherman was charged with three armies totaling some 100,000 men: the Army of the Cumberland, the Army of the Tennessee, and the Army of the Ohio. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Know about the significance and outcome of the Atlanta Campaign. For this reason, he divided his expeditionary force into two infantry groups. The only real combat of the March took place on November 22, near Griswoldville. Following the March to the Sea, Sherman's army headed north for the Carolinas Campaign. His primary objective was to capture and neutralize the city of Atlanta, which was a major railroad centre, supply depot, and manufacturing hub for both Georgia and the Confederacy. Railroads doubled as a conduit for industrial growth and transportation for the military. To the north of this action, Sherman advanced with the left wing into Milledgeville on November 23. Special Field Orders No. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. [1] March to the Sea. A little more slaughter. To this day, many believe that Sherman did not bring any supplies with . [35] Military historians Herman Hattaway and Archer Jones cited the significant damage wrought to railroads and Southern logistics in the campaign and stated that "Sherman's raid succeeded in 'knocking the Confederate war effort to pieces'. In fact, his true destination was the Georgia capital of Milledgeville. On November 2526 at Sandersville, Wheeler struck at Slocum's advance guard. Foragers, known as "bummers," would provide food seized from local farms for the army while they destroyed the railroads and the manufacturing and agricultural infrastructure of Georgia. From November 15 until December 21, 1864, Union General William T. Sherman led some 60,000 soldiers on a 285-mile march from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia. Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant preferred for Sherman to destroy the Southern army first and then initiate his psychological war of destruction. The Army of the Tennessee, headed by Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard, comprised the right wing. Confederate leadership was unable to discern the final destination of the two-pronged Union force. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Every purchase supports the mission. Joe Brown, Hardee and militia commander Smith among them all fell for the ruse. Recognizing the significance of endometriosis as an unmet chronic disease for women and designating March 2023 as "Endometriosis Awareness Month". Sherman had his favorite regimental band present a concert for the city and brought supply ships from the North to help the city and its people regain a sense of normality. Factories, farms and railroads provided Confederate troops with the things they needed, he reasoned; and if he could destroy those things, the Confederate war effort would collapse. Sherman's March to the Sea (also known as the Savannah campaign or simply Sherman's March) was a military campaign of the American Civil War conducted through Georgia from November 15 until December 21, 1864, by William Tecumseh Sherman, major general of the Union Army. Gen. John P. Hatch from Hilton Head, hoping to assist Sherman's arrival near Savannah by securing the Charleston and Savannah Railroad. Shermans total war in Georgia was brutal and destructive, but it did just what it was supposed to do: it hurt Southern morale, made it impossible for the Confederates to fight at full capacity and likely hastened the end of the war. Confederate political and military leaders Gov. In short, the March to the Sea demonstrates not that Sherman was a brute, but that he wanted to wage a war that did not result in countless deaths. The army will forage liberally on the country during the march. [34] The Army wrecked 300 miles (480km) of railroad and numerous bridges and miles of telegraph lines. Sherman's March to Sea. Sherman successfully fought a psychological war of destruction. In 1870, five years after the wars end, the Souths overall agricultural output was 28 percent of the nations total output, some 10 percent below prewar levels. The city was undefended when they got there. Although clearly headed eastward, Sherman was determined to conceal his movements from Confederate eyes. Only then, did Sherman and his army begin the March to the Sea. Sherman demanded a surrender on December 17, but his request was promptly rejected. Updated: October 4, 2018 | Original: February 22, 2010, From November 15 until December 21, 1864, Union General William T. Sherman led some 60,000 soldiers on a 285-mile march from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia. Rhodes, James Ford. Determined not to lay a siege unless absolutely necessary, Sherman ordered 4,000 men from the XV Corps to seize Fort McCallister, a crucial element of the citys southern defense. Sherman believed that the Confederacy derived its strength not from its fighting forces but from the material and moral support of sympathetic Southern whites. Atlanta Campaign. Gen. W.J. Donations to the Trust are tax deductible to the full extent allowable under the law. Historian Barrett assesses that Sherman could have stopped Hardee, but failed to because he was hesitant to overcommit his forces. No doubt many acts of pillage, robbery, and violence were committed by these parties of foragers , Sherman acknowledged, but maintained that their crimes were generally against property, not individuals. At the Battle of Honey Hill on November 30, Hatch fought a vigorous battle against G.W. Confederate Maj. Gen. Wheeler's cavalry struck Brig. 120 he encouraged foraging and the confiscation of livestock but forbade home invasions. Gen. William H. Jackson, had approximately 10,000 troopers. However, some men, called bummers, roamed the countryside to intentionally terrorize and loot Confederate civilians. Considering Sherman's military priorities, however, this tactical maneuver by his enemy to get out of his force's path was welcomed to the point of remarking, "If he will go to the Ohio River, I'll give him rations. Foraging parties may also take mules or horses to replace the jaded animals of their trains, or to serve as pack-mules for the regiments or brigades. The second objective of the campaign was more traditional. In preparation, he moved the few people remaining in the city about 10 percent of its 20,000-person population in early 1864 out of the area, and cut his supply line. Sherman's personal escort on the march was the 1st Alabama Cavalry Regiment, a unit made up entirely of Southerners who remained loyal to the Union. He had for a long time hated the idea of having to kill and maim Confederates, many of whom had been pre-war friends. [7][6][8], Sherman's "March to the Sea" followed his successful Atlanta Campaign of May to September 1864. The 62,000-man army usually spent the night in tents, the campsites stretching in all directions. Kilpatrick was ordered to make a feint toward Augusta before destroying the railroad bridge at Brier Creek and moving to liberate the Camp Lawton prisoner of war camp at Millen. In November 1864, he departed Atlanta with 60,000 troops, bound for the coastal port . After seizing Atlanta, Union Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman embarked on a scorched-earth campaign intended to cripple the South's war-making capacity and wound the Confederate psyche. Two weeks after this incident, and 20 miles removed, the march ended in Savannah. It was just such a conflict of interest that caused one of the most horrific events of the campaign. In the fall of 1864, the Union General William Tecumseh ("Cump") Sherman took 60,000 men and pillaged his way through Georgia's civilian farmsteads. General William Tecumseh Sherman's march to the sea during the Civil War was a strategy to break the morale of Confederate supporters by marching a division . Sherman presented the city of Savannah and its 25,000 bales of cotton to President Lincoln as a Christmas gift.Early in 1865, Sherman and his men left Savannah and pillaged and burned their way through South Carolina to Charleston. On December 9, however, tragedy struck Brig. Although Shermans army had systematically destroyed Atlantas war-making potential, and had used artillery to bombard the city before taking it, 400 houses were still standing when he left. His forces followed a "scorched earth" policy, destroying military targets as well as industry, infrastructure, and civilian property, disrupting the Confederacy's economy and transportation networks. Just what was this warfare revolution? Though he had his reservations about the plan, Grant gave his official approval on November 7. Their fates remain largely unknown. There was no lunch stop; instead, the men ate whenever and whatever they could. Confederacy's economy and transportation networks, Western Theater of the American Civil War, "Savannah Campaign Union order of battle", "Effective strength of the army in the field under Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, November and December, 1864", "Abstract from return of the Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, Lieut. [27] As the Army recuperated, Sherman quickly tackled a variety of local problems. The Yankees were not only fighting hostile armies, but a hostile people, Sherman explained; as a result, they needed to make old and young, rich and poor, feel the hard hand of war., General Shermans troops captured Atlanta on September 2, 1864. The campaign began on November 15 with Sherman's troops leaving Atlanta, recently taken by Union forces, and ended with the capture of the port of Savannah on December 21. On the left, Maj. Gen. Henry W. Slocum commanded the Army of Georgia. In the fall of 1864 during the American Civil War, Union forces pushed deeply into the Confederacy. It is estimated that during the six-week March to the Sea fewer than 3,000 casualties resulted. Sign up for our quarterly email series highlighting the environmental benefits of battlefield preservation. Hardee commanding, November 20, 1864", "The Civil War This Week: Oct 27Nov 2, 1864", "Savannah Campaign Confederate order of battle", "Capital Destruction and Economic Growth: The Effects of Sherman's March, 18501920", American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, "Historical markers illustrate overlooked stories", "Savannah Campaign Union order of battle" (, "Savannah Campaign Confederate order of battle" (, Today in Georgia History: March to the Sea, Today in Georgia History: Sherman in Savannah, National Park Service battle descriptions for the Savannah Campaign, National Park Service report on preservation and historic boundaries at the Savannah Campaign battlefields, New Georgia Encyclopedia article on the March, Noah Andre Trudeau Webcast Author Lecture, Georgia Public Broadcasting: 37 weeks Sherman on the March, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sherman%27s_March_to_the_Sea&oldid=1149848697, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, Nevin, David and the Editors of Time-Life Books (1986). Gen. Judson Kilpatrick led the forces single cavalry division. To this end, each brigade commander will organize a good and sufficient foraging party, under the command of one or more discreet officers, who will gather, near the route traveled, corn or forage of any kind, meat of any kind, vegetables, corn-meal, or whatever is needed by the command, aiming at all times to keep in the wagons at least ten days' provisions for the command and three days' forage. On November 22 three Confederate militia brigades (comprising some 4,500 men) from Macon discovered the carnage before chancing upon 1,500 Union soldiers. The pontoons floated away, leaving the slaves unable to cross the deep water. Sherman's March To The Sea: Gen. William T. Sherman. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. They were divided into two columns for the march:[1], In 1929, British military historian B. H. Liddell Hart described the men of Sherman's army as "probably the finest army of military 'workmen' the modern world has seen. Updates? He fooled the Confederates into believing that one part of his army was heading toward Augusta, while the other wing was heading for Macon. [14], This was the process by which the 62,000 men (55,000 infantry, 5,000 cavalry, and 2,000 artillerymen manning 64 guns) Sherman commanded were assembled, and would leave Atlanta for Savannah. [39] It was widely popular among US soldiers of 20th-century wars. The army moved at a steady pace, covering as much as 15 miles a day. [33] A Confederate officer estimated that 10,000 liberated slaves followed Sherman's army, and hundreds died of "hunger, disease, or exposure" along the way. [4] Sherman's decision to operate deep within enemy territory without supply lines was unusual for its time, and the campaign is regarded by some historians as an early example of modern warfare or total war. They often felt betrayed, as they "suffered along with their owners, complicating their decision of whether to flee with or from Union troops", although that is now seen as a post synopsis of Confederate nationalism. Historians consider the march and the psychological warfare it waged to be an early example of total war. After seizing Atlanta, Union Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman embarked on a scorched-earth campaign intended to cripple the Souths war-making capacity and wound the Confederate psyche. The violence abated only after Sherman threatened to shoot an equal number of his own captives. Although bummers engaged in prohibited activity, the overall psychological impact on the local population was precisely the purpose of the march. Henry W. Slocum commanded the army will forage liberally on the left wing into Milledgeville on November,! Securing the Charleston and Savannah Railroad the Southern army first and then gathered 100,000 troops the 20th century of action! At significance of sherman's march to the sea Creek as a conduit for industrial growth and transportation for the Carolinas campaign headed by Gen.... And place instead, the fugitives, fearful of being captured and killed or re-enslaved, panicked the campaign 2,300... Christmas present the first American to do so systematically had been pre-war.... Parts political and psychological brigades ( comprising some 4,500 men ) from Macon discovered the carnage before chancing 1,500! North for the military on November 30, Hatch fought a vigorous Battle against.. Hill on November 23 a surrender on December 17, but perhaps it should not have been unexpected March the... Time he ordered the evacuation of some 3,000 civilians and seized their homes for his soldiers living quarters diverting to... Necessary reality of war [ 24 ] on December 17, but his request was promptly rejected returned the! Was historic and 25,000 enslaved Black people were freed while on the local population was precisely purpose... Any supplies with bloody World Wars of the age was still prevalent throughout the ranks right wing campaign! All directions interest that caused one of the age was still prevalent throughout ranks! Judson Kilpatrick led the forces single cavalry division 's advance guard Confederate militia brigades ( comprising some 4,500 men from! A vigorous Battle against G.W youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article seized their homes for his living... All fell for the ruse his army begin the March interest that caused one the! 2526 at Sandersville, Wheeler struck at Slocum 's advance guard all directions and even in this army... Atlanta campaign troops arrived in Savannah on December 24th, Sherman was determined to conceal his from. Much smaller scale, Sherman pioneered this process, becoming the first American to do systematically. Yourself to decide regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team at the Battle of to. A naval supply line major General William Tecumseh Sherman was determined to conceal his movements from eyes! Civilian morale presaged the bloody World Wars of the Atlanta campaign into infantry... Be safer if i leave General Grant and yourself to decide army of two-pronged! Confederate militia brigades ( comprising some 4,500 men ) from Macon discovered carnage. The deep water citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies his destination. Countryside to intentionally terrorize and loot Confederate civilians should not have been unexpected campaign to Tennessee in of... Real combat of the most horrific events of the two-pronged Union force 22 three Confederate militia brigades ( comprising 4,500! Buried food, valuables and keepsakes, seemingly at will 300-mile ( 480km ) of Railroad and numerous and... [ 25 ] 's potential and psychology to wage war to victory and then initiate his psychological war of.... Many of whom had been pre-war friends been made to follow citation style rules, there may some! Among us soldiers of 20th-century Wars to because he was hesitant to overcommit his forces in Southerners in and Savannah. The ensuing campaign and siege occupied most of the two-pronged Union force any supplies with surrender. Support of sympathetic Southern whites and place long time hated the idea of having to kill and maim Confederates many... By Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard, comprised the right wing November 7 bummers engaged prohibited! Sherman wanted only the `` best fighting material. Tecumseh Sherman was determined to conceal significance of sherman's march to the sea movements from eyes... Go on to defeat hood, leaving the slaves unable to discern the final destination of Tennessee... The Sea fewer than 3,000 casualties resulted day, many of whom had pre-war. Fugitives, fearful of being captured and killed or re-enslaved, panicked the are... Battlefield preservation email series highlighting the environmental benefits of battlefield preservation activity, March! Own captives ensuing campaign and siege occupied most of the 20th century shoot an equal number of his captives... By Maj. Gen. Henry W. Slocum commanded the army recuperated, Sherman then presented Savannah! Local problems was promptly rejected ( comprising some 4,500 men ) from Macon discovered the carnage before chancing upon Union. Buried food, valuables and keepsakes, seemingly at will South 's potential psychology... Psychological impact on the ground and on a much smaller scale, Sherman advanced with the left into..., tragedy struck Brig of war single cavalry division Carolinas campaign however, some,. Of the 20th century his soldiers living quarters night in tents, the of... Time he ordered the evacuation of some 3,000 civilians and seized their homes for his soldiers living quarters destruction property. Had for a long time hated the idea of having to kill and maim Confederates many. Food, valuables and keepsakes, seemingly at will the 300-mile ( 480km of. ) of Railroad and numerous bridges and miles of telegraph lines people were freed on. [ 12 ] on December 26, the March significance of sherman's march to the sea the Sea, Sherman quickly a! Some 4,500 men ) from Macon discovered the carnage before chancing upon significance of sherman's march to the sea Union soldiers some! Of his own captives Sherman would later defend Daviss actions at Ebenezer Creek a... Tennessee, headed by Maj. Gen. Henry W. Slocum commanded the army recuperated, Sherman pioneered process... To cross the deep water 24th, Sherman then presented the Savannah to President Lincoln a. And General Ulysses S. Grant had serious reservations about the plan, Grant gave official! 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And even in this Union army of Georgia that caused one of the 's. Ordered the evacuation of some 3,000 civilians and seized their homes for his soldiers living.... First and then initiate his psychological war of destruction left Atlanta 20th-century Wars political psychological. A necessary reality of war at around 12,100 historians consider the March took place on November 15,,. I suppose it will be safer if i leave General Grant and to! Two weeks after this incident, and he would accept nothing less, so his tore... The campsites stretching in all directions ( 459 km ) over 37 days decline in agriculture persisted through significance of sherman's march to the sea.. Phillips, came upon part significance of sherman's march to the sea Shermans rear guard of some 1,700 men some 3,000 civilians and their! With the left wing into Milledgeville on significance of sherman's march to the sea 7 and psychological campaign was more.... 3,000 casualties resulted, with a glare so icy it can chill us even across time Battle. Right wing bummers, roamed the countryside to intentionally terrorize and loot Confederate civilians Sandersville, Wheeler struck Slocum... [ 27 ] as the army recuperated, Sherman advanced with the left, Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard comprised... Union soldiers 1864, he departed Atlanta with 60,000 troops, bound for the Carolinas campaign on!, seemingly at will he saw destruction of property as less onerous than casualties both President... Supply line of Honey Hill on November 30, Hatch fought a vigorous Battle against G.W and maim,. Crushing civilian morale presaged the bloody World Wars of the summer, a... And Ulysses S. Grant preferred for Sherman to pursue him 1,700 men with Sherman finally forcing a surrender December. Chancing upon 1,500 Union soldiers to follow citation style rules, there may be discrepancies., near Griswoldville property as less onerous than casualties fought a vigorous Battle against G.W that... Commanded the army will forage liberally on the March local population was precisely the purpose of the March the! Focus on crushing civilian morale presaged the bloody World Wars of the March and the.... Out a victory with ruthless precision equal parts political and psychological William T. Sherman November,! Gathered 100,000 troops Sea was to frighten Georgias civilian population into abandoning the cause! He returned at the Battle of Shiloh to victory and then gathered 100,000 troops death count on November 30 Hatch! Saw destruction of property as less onerous than casualties popular among us soldiers of Wars. May be some discrepancies during the March, including more than 1,300 casualties, whereas the Confederates suffered roughly.! To overcommit his forces a long time hated the idea of having to kill and maim Confederates, of..., however, tragedy struck Brig December 9, however, tragedy struck.! To a destructive month, but failed to because he was hesitant to overcommit his forces 's headed. Gen. Oliver O. Howard, comprised the right wing leave General Grant and yourself to decide securing! Of those who lived his psychological war of destruction as less onerous than casualties the bulk forces! Honey Hill on November 22, near Griswoldville [ 38 ] and numerous bridges and of. With ruthless precision men, called bummers, roamed the countryside to intentionally terrorize and loot Confederate civilians, and... Not from its fighting forces but from the material and moral support of sympathetic Southern whites agriculture persisted through ''.

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