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Sherman’s March to the Sea was a military campaign conducted by Union General William Tecumseh Sherman during the American Civil War. It took place from November 15 to December 21, 1864, and involved Union forces marching through Georgia from Atlanta to Savannah. The purpose of the march was to disrupt Confederate supply lines, demoralize the Southern population, and ultimately weaken the Confederacy’s ability to continue the war. Sherman’s troops destroyed railroads, factories, and crops, and confiscated food and supplies along the way. The march is considered a significant event in the war and a demonstration of total war tactics.
Can you identify any renowned military commanders? Many individuals may think of Alexander the Great, and some might even mention Napoleon Bonaparte. Today, we will explore the life of another famous military leader named William Tecumseh Sherman.
William Tecumseh Sherman was born in 1820 and raised in Ohio. He later attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Following his graduation, he served in the Army until 1853. Subsequently, he pursued various careers, including banking, law, and education as a headmaster.
In 1861, Sherman was residing in Louisiana and working at a military school. During the same year, the state seceded from the Union to join the Confederacy. Sherman resigned from his position and relocated to St. Louis. He then re-enlisted in the Union Army as a colonel and eventually rose to the rank of general in 1862.
Today, Sherman is primarily remembered for his March to the Sea. This military campaign commenced in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 17, 1864, and concluded in Savannah, Georgia, on December 21. During the march, Sherman’s troops set fire to or destroyed much of what lay in their path. After the surrender of Savannah, they continued their march through South Carolina.
Why did they engage in such destruction? It was a part of Sherman’s strategy. He aimed to demonstrate the might of the Union Army and expose the inability of the Confederate government to protect its citizens. Additionally, the march deprived both civilians and Confederate soldiers of food and supply lines. Sherman’s soldiers burned agricultural lands and destroyed a significant portion of Georgia’s railway system.
By the time the march began, the American Civil War had been ongoing for over three years. Sherman sought to bring an end to the war with fewer casualties. At first glance, this may appear contradictory, considering that the March to the Sea was one of the most devastating events of the war.
However, the March to the Sea resulted in relatively few casualties. It lasted just over a month and had 3,100 casualties. In comparison, the three-day battle at Gettysburg concluded with 51,000 soldiers killed or wounded. Sherman’s troops aimed to damage property rather than harm people, resulting in a lower death toll compared to other military campaigns.
Nevertheless, Sherman’s March to the Sea had a significant impact, surpassing many of the bloodiest battles of the war. It severely damaged Southern morale and weakened the Confederate Army. Many experts argue that it played a crucial role in bringing about the end of the American Civil War. Indeed, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered a few months after Sherman’s March.
However, the march also left a trail of great loss. Despite the relatively low number of deaths, many individuals in the South considered Sherman to be cruel and violent. After all, his soldiers destroyed numerous homes and burned down farms, which were the livelihoods of many people. This approach represented a shift towards total war, a military strategy that extends beyond combat and targets civilian populations.
Sherman was not the first or last military leader to adopt this strategy. Total war would resurface as a tactic during the world wars. What are your thoughts on Sherman’s use of total war? Would you have taken a different approach? How might history have unfolded without Sherman’s March to the Sea?
Try It Out
Ready to continue learning? Seek the assistance of an adult friend or family member to engage in one or more of the activities listed below!
- Take a look at this map that shows Sherman’s March to the Sea. Which areas were most impacted by the march? What tactics did Sherman’s soldiers employ to wage total war? Share some interesting facts that you learned with a friend or family member.
- What do you think? Was Sherman’s March to the Sea necessary in order to bring an end to the Civil War? Or was it unnecessary destruction? Conduct further research on your own, and then form your own opinion. Write a letter or email to a friend or family member explaining your stance. Use reasons and examples to support your viewpoint.
- Sherman’s March to the Sea was a significant event during the American Civil War. However, what about the events that led the country into war in the first place? Learn more about the events that preceded the Civil War. Afterward, create your own timeline that highlights at least five events that contributed to the onset of the Civil War. Write a few sentences describing each event. Make sure to share your timeline with a friend or family member once it is completed!
Sources of Wonder
- https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/shermans-march-sea (accessed 26 Aug. 2020)
- https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/scorched-earth (accessed 26 Aug. 2020)
- https://www.biography.com/military-figure/william-tecumseh-sherman (accessed 26 Aug. 2020)
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/shermans-march-to-the-sea-a-military-triumph-left-a-bitter-legacy/2014/09/11/9f3f7826-3391-11e4-a723-fa3895a25d02_story.html (accessed 26 Aug. 2020)
- https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Scorched_earth (accessed 26 Aug. 2020)
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