Sherman's March: The Devastating Legacy of General William T. Sherman

When it comes to the most notorious military campaigns of the American Civil War, one cannot overlook Sherman's March to the Sea. Led by Major General William T. Sherman, this strategic operation aimed to cripple the Confederate States of America by tearing through Georgia and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Today, Sherman's March remains a symbol of ruthless warfare, leaving a devastating legacy that shaped the course of the war.

The Background: General William T. Sherman

Born on February 8, 1820, in Lancaster, Ohio, William Tecumseh Sherman was an influential figure in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Raised in a supportive family with connections to politics and the military, Sherman developed a deep understanding of the nation's affairs and the importance of military strategy.

Prior to Sherman's March, he had already gained recognition for his military prowess in various battles, including the First Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Shiloh. However, it was Sherman's innovative and bold tactics that would forever change the nature of warfare.

Sherman's March

by Burke Davis (Kindle Edition)

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Language	:	English
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Sherman's March to the Sea

In early 1864, General Sherman devised a bold plan to deliver a decisive blow to the Confederacy. His plan was to cut through the heart of the South, starting from Atlanta, Georgia, and making his way to Savannah on the coast. The objective was to disrupt Confederate supply lines, cripple morale, and ultimately force surrender.

On November 15, 1864, Sherman set his plan into motion with 62,000 troops under his command. As they marched through Georgia, the Union Army left a path of destruction in its wake, targeting not only military installations but also civilian infrastructure. Railroads were demolished, crops were burned, and factories were destroyed. The goal was to render the region useless for Confederate operations.

The Legacy of Destruction

Sherman's March to the Sea left a lasting imprint on the American South. The destructive campaign led to the ruination of countless farms, homes, and towns along Sherman's path. The psychological impact on Southern civilians was immense, as they witnessed the destruction of their way of life.

However, Sherman's campaign was not without controversy. Critics argue that the scorched-earth tactics employed by Sherman and his troops were unnecessarily cruel and violated the principles of warfare. The impact on civilians, particularly women and children, was devastating, and the campaign fueled deep animosity between the North and the South for years to come.

The Impact on the Civil War

Sherman's March to the Sea played a decisive role in the outcome of the American Civil War. By cutting through Georgia and severing Confederate supply lines, Sherman effectively weakened the Southern Army and demoralized the Confederate cause. The campaign served as a turning point, forcing Confederate leaders to confront the grim reality of defeat.

Moreover, Sherman's tactics provided a blueprint for future military campaigns. His innovative approach to total warfare, which aimed to destroy not only military targets but also civilian infrastructure, set a new precedent in the annals of warfare. From World War I to the present day, Sherman's March continues to influence military strategy.

Remembering Sherman's March

The legacy of Sherman's March to the Sea lives on today through historical accounts, monuments, and commemorations. While controversial, the campaign serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of war and the lengths to which military leaders are willing to go to achieve their objectives.

General William T. Sherman's name remains tied to the infamous march that forever changed the course of the American Civil War. Whether praised as a brilliant military strategist or criticized for the destruction his army left in its wake, there is no denying the lasting impact of Sherman's March to the Sea.

Sherman's March

by Burke Davis (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3319 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	354 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

A New York Times–bestselling author’s account of the devastating military campaign that broke the Confederacy’s back in the last months of the Civil War.

In November 1864, just days after the reelection of President Abraham Lincoln, Gen. William T. Sherman vowed to “make Georgia howl.” The hero of Shiloh and his 65,000 Federal troops destroyed the great city of Atlanta, captured Savannah, and cut a wide swath of destruction through Georgia and the Carolinas on their way to Virginia. A scorched-earth campaign that continues to haunt the Southern imagination, Sherman’s “March to the Sea” and ensuing drive north was a crucial turning point in the War between the States.

Weaving together hundreds of eyewitness accounts, bestselling author Burke Davis tells the story of this infamous episode from the perspective of the Union soldiers and the Confederate men and women who stood in their path. Eloquent, heartrending, and vastly informative, Sherman’s March brilliantly examines one of the most polarizing figures in American military history and offers priceless insights into the enduring legacy of the Civil War.