Sherman's Atlanta Campaign and March to Sea

Atlanta Campaign

Sherman ordered the civilian evacuation of Atlanta, and aimed to capture the city for its sentimental value to the South, and to ensure the re-election of Lincoln. Additionally, Atlanta was a major supply hub for the Confederacy. When Sherman took Atlanta, he ordered to burn down the buildings related to military, but much of his army was intoxicated, so private property and homes were also burnt to ash. Around 30-40% of Atlanta was burned. Sherman's men also destroyed the Atlanta's rail lines beyond repair.  "Atlanta is ours, and fairly won," William T. Sherman to Abraham Lincoln.

Sherman's men destroying Atlanta railroads.
Link: www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk

Remains of Atlanta Depot
Link: americanhistory.unomaha.edu

Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman
Source: www.wired.com

March to Sea

Sherman riskily marched to take Savannah, lacking communications, food, and supplies from the North. Instead, Sherman brilliantly took resources from the fields of the South, thus starving the Confederacy and stuffing his troops. He freed all the slaves his army came across with open arms, however, due to the lack of supplies, former slaves who followed his army had to feed themselves.  Through Sherman's "Total War" policy, his army aimed to strike fear in the hearts of the Confederate civilians by destroying property, which would help to quicken the end of the war.

When Sherman and his men arrived in Savannah, the Mayor, after hearing what happened to Atlanta, surrendered Savannah to save its history and people. Sherman gave Savannah Lincoln as a Christmas present in 1864, " I beg to present to you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah, with one hundred and fifty guns and plenty of ammunition, also about twenty five thousand bales of cotton.

Sherman's Total War Policy
Source; www.valdosta.edu

Map of Sherman's March to Sea
Source: www.austincc.edu

These campaigns were successful in demoralizing the Confederate army, destroying Confederate supply lines, inciting dissension throughout the Confederate army, and ensuring Lincoln's reelection. They cost Georgia's economy today's equivalent of $1 Billion.