Gen. Judson Kilpatricks 5,000 Union horse soldiers cleared it out of the way. The intense battle that ensued saw 250 Confederate casualties and 190 Union losses. Since spreading terror farther afield only intensified the impact of his March to the Sea, all of this suited Shermans purposes perfectly. Slocum's wing, accompanied by Sherman, moved to the east, in the direction of Augusta. Despite these impediments, the two wings of Shermans army began to converge on Savannah in early December. It had some large plantations, but many more small farms growing a variety of products: vegetables, cotton, sweet potatoes and, in marshy areas, rice and sugar cane. Sherman further arranged for 50,000 bushels of captured rice to be sold in the North to raise money to feed Savannah. The most significant reason for General Sherman's explanation of hard war in the excerpt was that. The March to the Sea. Although clearly headed eastward, Sherman was determined to conceal his movements from Confederate eyes. Locals experienced a sense of growing dread as they anticipated the main columns advancing through their property and seizing everything of value. In South Carolina Sherman waged a new scorched-earth campaign with a vengeance reserved for the first state to have seceded from the Union. The cavalry captured two Confederate guns at Lovejoy's Station, and then two more and 50 prisoners at Bear Creek Station. 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. To the north of this action, Sherman advanced with the left wing into Milledgeville on November 23. Subsequent historians have objected to the comparison, arguing that Sherman's tactics were not as severe or indiscriminate. Less than six months later Gen. Robert E. Lee would surrender to the Union at Appomattox Court House and bring a formal end to the American Civil War. He saw destruction of property as less onerous than casualties. Well known to Sherman from his study of the 1860 census, Georgias fertile soil still held potential to feed the ravenous Confederacy. Federal troops sprinted the 600-yard stretch to the forts walls, and within 15 minutes they had captured the structure. It stood between the Union Army and two of its most prized targets: the Gulf of Mexico to the west and Charleston to the East. Shermans March to the Sea, coupled with his Atlanta Campaign, may have tipped the scales of victory toward the Union in the Civil War. [34], The March to the Sea was devastating to Georgia and the Confederacy. The ensuing campaign and siege occupied most of the summer, with Sherman finally forcing a surrender on September 2. 120 he encouraged foraging and the confiscation of livestock but forbade home invasions. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick led the forces single cavalry division. His scorched-earth tactics changed the history of warfare and are still studied and taught in military institutions . The poem would go on to lend its name to Sherman's campaign, and a version set to music became an instant hit with Sherman's Army and later the public. 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. On November 2526 at Sandersville, Wheeler struck at Slocum's advance guard. The Confederacy suffered only 70 losses to the Unions 100, with Kilpatrick himself narrowly escaping capture. On September 29 Hood set out again, this time with the goal of cutting off Shermans supply lines along the Western & Atlantic Railroad in northern Georgia. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. "[15] After his surrender to Sherman, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston said of Sherman's men that "there has been no such army since the days of Julius Caesar. Hoods new strategy was to recoup before striking north at Union-occupied Nashville, Tennessee. [27] As the Army recuperated, Sherman quickly tackled a variety of local problems. After a sparse breakfast, they formed the columns and began moving. Doctors performed in-depth examinations to weed out the weak and those suffering from disease, and because of this 1% of the men were left behind. Observing the movements of Howards right wing, Confederate Lieut. Smith's militia fought off the Union attacks, and Hatch withdrew after suffering about 650 casualties, versus Smith's 50. [11] The twisted and broken railroad rails that the troops heated over fires, wrapped around tree trunks and left behind became known as "Sherman's neckties.". However, news of brutal prisoner treatment at Camp Lawton would later prompt Sherman to order the destruction of several miles of track along the Augusta & Savannah Railroad. The First American President: Setting the Precedent, African Americans During the Revolutionary War, Help Save 820 Acres at Five Virginia Battlefields, Save 343 Acres at FIVE Battlefields in FOUR Western Theater States, Save 42 Historic Acres at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Phase Three of Gaines Mill-Cold Harbor Saved Forever Campaign, An Unparalleled Preservation Opportunity at Gettysburg Battlefield. Kilpatrick abandoned his plans to destroy the railroad bridge and he also learned that the prisoners had been moved from Camp Lawton, so he rejoined the army at Louisville. March to the Sea. Sherman's March to the Sea With the full support of both Lincoln and Grant, Sherman devised an unusual plan. 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. Clearly this soldier was practicing the psychological destructive warfare against Georgia that his commander wanted. Sherman demanded surrender, and he would accept nothing less, so his men tore through the Palmetto State. On it was Byers' poem. The March to the Sea and Beyond: Sherman's Troops in the Savannah and Carolinas Campaigns. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. [26], The Army's stay in Savannah was generally without incident. Knowing that Confederate cavalry was nearby, the fugitives, fearful of being captured and killed or re-enslaved, panicked. Wheeler and some infantry struck in a rearguard action at Ball's Ferry on November 24 and November 25. Following the March to the Sea, Sherman's army headed north for the Carolinas Campaign. Jordan, Philip D. Ohio Comes of Age: 1874-1899. On December 21 Savannahs mayor formally surrendered the city to the Union. Major General William Tecumseh Sherman was a contradiction embodied. In addition to its effects on Georgia and the South, Shermans March to the Sea revolutionized the military tactics of his time. Nevertheless, Hardee knew that his position was untenable. Not only does it afford the obvious and immediate military advantages, but, in showing to the world that your army could be divided, putting the stronger part to an important new service, and yet leaving enough to vanquish the old opposing force of the whole Hoods army it brings those who sat in darkness to see a great light. On December 9, however, tragedy struck Brig. By December 12 Shermans force had neared Savannahs outer defenses. On November 22, 3,500 Confederate cavalry started a skirmish with the Union soldiers at Griswoldville, but that ended so badly650 Confederate soldiers were killed or wounded, compared to 62 Yankee casualtiesthat Southern troops initiated no more battles. [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'. He organized relief for the flood of refugees that had inundated the city. In theyears afterthe Civil War, fighting forces around the world have made use of Shermans total war strategy. Sherman received numerous letters from the very Confederate officers he was fighting against, requesting that Sherman ensure the protection of their families. Maj. Gen. Gustavus W. Smith's Georgia militia had about 3,050 soldiers, most of whom were boys and elderly men. 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. The state legislature extended the existing state draft to include men from 16 to 65 years of age. Joe Brown, Hardee and militia commander Smith among them all fell for the ruse. On November 15, 62,000 men split into two infantry wings (actually four parallel corps columns) with screening cavalry to protect the main bodies as they spread across the landscape departed Atlanta. 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 former slaves grew increasingly hesitant about getting too close to the white soldiers, who might be their source of freedom, but who often treated them with harshness and disrespect. With Wheeler close behind, many of them attempted to swim the distance. Stay up-to-date on the American Battlefield Trust's battlefield preservation efforts, travel tips, upcoming events, history content and more. 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. after earning a reputation at Shiloh and earning key victories in Vicksburg, promoted to . 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. Hardee succeeded in getting his men out, and Sherman captured the city on December 21st, 1864. Atlanta Campaign. One word still resonates more deeply in the American psyche than any other in the field of Civil War study: Sherman. Prior to his famous march to the sea, General Sherman led 100,000 men into the southern city of Atlanta. Yet, whenever they had a choice, they preferred the Federals to Confederate soldiers and civilians who had no compunction about killing them or returning them to slavery. Shermans soldiers did not destroy any of the towns in their path, but they stole food and livestock and burned the houses and barns of people who tried to fight back. Rockwell. In fact, his true destination was the Georgia capital of Milledgeville. Shermans March to the Sea, (November 15December 21, 1864) American Civil War campaign that concluded Union operations in the Confederate state of Georgia. His focus on crushing civilian morale presaged the bloody World Wars of the 20th century. Fowler, John D. and David B. Parker, eds. Once the rails became red hot, they were twisted into what came to be known as Shermans neckties or Shermans hairpins. The campaigns chief engineer, Col. Orlando Poe, even devised specialized equipment, called cant hooks, for the task. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Sherman remained in Atlanta for a little over a month. He had for a long time hated the idea of having to kill and maim Confederates, many of whom had been pre-war friends. The general himself was a model of deportment. The two wings of the army attempted to confuse and deceive the enemy about their destinations; the Confederates could not tell from the initial movements whether Sherman would march on Macon, Augusta, or Savannah. We are not only fighting armies, but a hostile people, and must make old and young, rich and poor, feel the hard hand of war, as well as their organized armies. The city was undefended when they got there. The march to the sea,the most destructive campaign against a civilian population during Civil War.It all begain in Atlanta on Novemeber 15,1864,and concluded in Savannah on December 21,1864.As a person who is searching and learning history day by day I am learning about Union general William T. Sherman and his march.Sherman divided his troops into two roughly equal wings,there was 60,000 . The arrival of the main columns was even more frightening to the Georgians in their path than the passage of the foragers. On the ground and on a much smaller scale, Sherman pioneered this process, becoming the first American to do so systematically. [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. What were the effects of Shermans March to the Sea? During the campaign, the Confederate War Department brought in additional men from Florida and the Carolinas, but they never were able to increase their effective force beyond 13,000.[18]. Sherman dutifully complied with the letters of protection he received, from both North and South, regardless of social standing. Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store. Walters, John Bennett (1948) "General William T. Sherman and Total War". The man leading the . However, if antagonized by Confederate soldiers, Union officers could destroy private and industrial property. Thousands who had been deceived by their lying papers into the belief that we were being whipped all the time, realized the truth, and have no appetite for a repetition of the same experience. To my smoke house, my Dairy, Pantry, kitchen & cellar. It was difficult to hide anything from the foragers or the massive main column. until 1864, the Confederacy had been winning the Civil War. Railroads doubled as a conduit for industrial growth and transportation for the military. The most potent Confederate force in the state was Joseph Wheelers 3,500-man cavalry, which managed to harass Shermans marchers but was too small to pose a deadly threat. Hood had taken the bulk of forces in Georgia on his campaign to Tennessee in hopes of diverting Sherman to pursue him. 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. Grant's armies in Virginia continued in a stalemate against Robert E. Lee's army, besieged in Petersburg, Virginia. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! This Union and its Government must be sustained, at any and every cost, explained one of Shermans subordinates. Elements of the decline in agriculture persisted through 1920".[38]. VI. The March to the Sea played psychological warfare in which . At the same time, Slocum's left wing approached the state capital at Milledgeville, prompting the hasty departure of Governor Joseph Brown and the state legislature. Letter, Sherman to Henry W. Halleck, December 24, 1864. As soon as the mayor of Savannah surrendered his city, Sherman the fiend became Sherman the friend. After capturing Atlanta in September 1864, General Sherman decided to use a different tactic to bring the South to its knees and . Not realizing that these Federals had repeating rifles and were dug in, temporary commander Phillips ordered his motley force to attack, and they were ripped to pieces by the Federals. 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]. Major General George Thomas took some 60,000 men to meet the Confederates in Nashville, while Sherman took the remaining 62,000 on an offensive march through Georgia to Savannah, smashing things (he wrote) to the sea.. As one Georgia woman wrote in her diary: like Demons they rush in! By attempting to hold the roads we will lose a thousand men monthly and will gain no result. Sherman recounted in his memoirs the scene when he left at 7 am the following day: We rode out of Atlanta by the Decatur road, filled by the marching troops and wagons of the Fourteenth Corps; and reaching the hill, just outside of the old rebel works, we naturally paused to look back upon the scenes of our past battles. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shermans-March-to-the-Sea, Warfare History Network - Shermans March to the Sea, New Georgia Encyclopedia - Shermans March to the Sea, scorched-earth policy during the Atlanta Campaign, American Civil War: western and Carolina campaigns, American Civil War: Union soldiers wrecking railroads in Atlanta. Did you know? And taking the work of General Thomas into the count, as it should be taken, it is indeed a great success. Now, the undertaking being a success, the honor is yours; for I believe none of us went further than to acquiesce. 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