Sherman's march to the sea was a turning point for the Union. It was the beginning of the end of the war. Sherman showed the Confederacy that their government could offer them no protection as he marched generally unchallenged thru the heart of the South. The damage done by his Army crushed the military industrial complex in Atlanta and shut down supplies the Confederates needed to continue to wage war.
Because of the toll on civilian non combatants, the march has been viewed by critiques of both Lincoln and Sherman as war crimes. Bombarding defenseless cities and burning them to the ground - forcing inhabitants of Atlanta to vacate and become homeless and without food just before winter set in were not tactics considered acceptable to many in the mid 1800's.
The fall of Atlanta was one of the most, if not the most important military successes of the Union and certainly can be credited with changing the tide of the war. It ensured the reelection of Lincoln. It decimated Atlanta's ability to make war material and transport it, disrupted communications, and drove a stake thru the heart of many in the South's will to fight.
Friday, November 23, 2012
"I've got Savannah"
As the Army marches East, the terrain changes as the approach the sea. No longer crossing counties that are rich in a variety of agriculture and livestock, they are forced to rely on rice for their sustenance. Sherman realizes he needs to reach Savannah, take the city, and resupply quickly.
Upon arriving on the outskirts of Savannah, the Army digs in for a possible siege. Sherman realizes because of lack of supplies, he is going to have to take Savannah and open a lane to the sea in order to contact the Union Navy and resupply his men.
Savannah is guarded by Fort McAllister, which borders the Atlantic. Sherman knows he must take McAllister and he needs to take it quickly. A scouting report of the Fort reveals it is heavily fortified with 17 foot earth walls that can withstand artillery fire. It has 11 cannons which face the sea, making it virtually impregnable for a frontal assault. However, with a garrison of less then 250 soldiers, it does appear vulnerable from the rear.
The entire success of the march depends on the ability of the Union Soldiers to take the fort. An assault is conducted near dusk and the Union Soldiers charge the rear of the fort under artillery, rifle, and small arms fire. In what is a brief and bloody battle, the Union Soldiers are able to take control of the fort.
Capturing the fort assures Sherman access to the sea and Union supply ships where he will be able to get the supplies he needs for his men. He also knows his march to the sea is a success. Knowing defeat is inevitable, the Confederates abandon Savannah.
Sherman sends a telegraph to Lincoln informing him he has taken Savannah.
Transcript of telegram:
Upon arriving on the outskirts of Savannah, the Army digs in for a possible siege. Sherman realizes because of lack of supplies, he is going to have to take Savannah and open a lane to the sea in order to contact the Union Navy and resupply his men.
Savannah is guarded by Fort McAllister, which borders the Atlantic. Sherman knows he must take McAllister and he needs to take it quickly. A scouting report of the Fort reveals it is heavily fortified with 17 foot earth walls that can withstand artillery fire. It has 11 cannons which face the sea, making it virtually impregnable for a frontal assault. However, with a garrison of less then 250 soldiers, it does appear vulnerable from the rear.
The entire success of the march depends on the ability of the Union Soldiers to take the fort. An assault is conducted near dusk and the Union Soldiers charge the rear of the fort under artillery, rifle, and small arms fire. In what is a brief and bloody battle, the Union Soldiers are able to take control of the fort.
Capturing the fort assures Sherman access to the sea and Union supply ships where he will be able to get the supplies he needs for his men. He also knows his march to the sea is a success. Knowing defeat is inevitable, the Confederates abandon Savannah.
Sherman sends a telegraph to Lincoln informing him he has taken Savannah.
Transcript of telegram:
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Attrocities
By November 29th, Sherman's Army is about two thirds the way to Savannah. On the outskirts of Millen, Ga, they discover a POW camp designed to hold 40,000 prisoners. The camp had been hastily evacuated and the men were shocked at the conditions. It resembled more of a concentration camp than a POW Camp. They bury about 650 dead soldiers then proceed to burn down the nearby town of Millen. Sherman remarks "War is cruelty, there is no sense in trying to reform it."
On their march, the Union Army discovers what they call "torpedoes" or what would be called today "landmines" or "IED's". Sherman becomes outraged when some of his men have body parts blown off by stepping on one of these devices. Sherman has rebel prisoners walk ahead of his men to find the mines and dig them up when found. Sherman sends a message to Confederate leadership, telling them rebel prisoners will be used to ferret out land mines. Mines are never used again. This type of behavior endears Sherman even more to his men.
In this part of Georgia, food is much more scarce and Sherman becomes concern about hunger. He orders slaves following the Army to be turned around, but they do not listen.
On their march, the Union Army discovers what they call "torpedoes" or what would be called today "landmines" or "IED's". Sherman becomes outraged when some of his men have body parts blown off by stepping on one of these devices. Sherman has rebel prisoners walk ahead of his men to find the mines and dig them up when found. Sherman sends a message to Confederate leadership, telling them rebel prisoners will be used to ferret out land mines. Mines are never used again. This type of behavior endears Sherman even more to his men.
In this part of Georgia, food is much more scarce and Sherman becomes concern about hunger. He orders slaves following the Army to be turned around, but they do not listen.
Conduct of the Campaign
Sherman marches his men reletnlessly towards Savannah. They are organized into four columns with 40-60 miles between the outer columns and they march an astonishing 10-15 miles per day. Thousands upon thousands of slaves bring join the march, making the men of the Army feel as if they are a liberating force, which in way they certainly are.
The south fights Sherman's army anyway they can. The vast majority of military aged males are in Virginia fighting for the Confederacy, leaving only teenage boys and old men to put up any kind of resistance.
Outside of Macon, Ga, the confedracy attacks Sherman but it is futile and they are routed. As the Army continues to march, the leave destruction in their wake. Destroying whole towns, wharehouse, barns, and fileds, the devastation is total.
Part of the effort to destoy the infrastructure of the Confedearcy is damaging the railways. Soldiers dig up these rails, place them into fires, and bend them. They become known as "Sherman Neckties."
The south fights Sherman's army anyway they can. The vast majority of military aged males are in Virginia fighting for the Confederacy, leaving only teenage boys and old men to put up any kind of resistance.
Outside of Macon, Ga, the confedracy attacks Sherman but it is futile and they are routed. As the Army continues to march, the leave destruction in their wake. Destroying whole towns, wharehouse, barns, and fileds, the devastation is total.
Part of the effort to destoy the infrastructure of the Confedearcy is damaging the railways. Soldiers dig up these rails, place them into fires, and bend them. They become known as "Sherman Neckties."
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Right, Left, straight Up the Middle
Each night, Sherman plans the next day's march. He divides his forces and with his left wing, feigns towards Augusta and with his right wing, feigns towards Macon. This causes the 20.000 Confederate soldiers in between Sherman and Savannah to split their forces between the two cities. Sherman then drives his main force between to these two wings, unchallenged and towards Savannah. On average, they march 15 miles a day, in four columns, with 40 - 60 miles in between the outer two columns.
Slaves and the March
During the march, slaves approached the Army continuously. For many of the Union Soldiers, they are shocked at the horrors of slavery. They see the scars on the slaves backs and hear tales of how salt was rubbed into their wounds. Many of the soldiers encourage slaves to leave their homes and join the march.
General Sherman does not display the same enthusiasm for having slaves join his Army and ignores directives from Washington to enlist slaves. Sherman writes "The negro is in a transition phase and is not the equal of the white man." However, Sherman also has a practical reason for discouraging slaves from joining; he does not want them to eat his soldiers food or slow them down. Sherman allows single blacks to join his Army, as long as they are physically capable of keeping up. He uses them in advance of his Army to prepare the roads.
Still, despite his opposition, thousands of slaves join the march.
General Sherman believes that as a general rule, blacks are inferior to whites and slavery is not necessarily as bad thing. However, when interacting with blacks he is very cordial and even shakes their hands. At the time, a white man shaking a black man's hand was not socially acceptable. Because of this, he is considered a savior by many of the slaves.
General Sherman does not display the same enthusiasm for having slaves join his Army and ignores directives from Washington to enlist slaves. Sherman writes "The negro is in a transition phase and is not the equal of the white man." However, Sherman also has a practical reason for discouraging slaves from joining; he does not want them to eat his soldiers food or slow them down. Sherman allows single blacks to join his Army, as long as they are physically capable of keeping up. He uses them in advance of his Army to prepare the roads.
Still, despite his opposition, thousands of slaves join the march.
General Sherman believes that as a general rule, blacks are inferior to whites and slavery is not necessarily as bad thing. However, when interacting with blacks he is very cordial and even shakes their hands. At the time, a white man shaking a black man's hand was not socially acceptable. Because of this, he is considered a savior by many of the slaves.
The Numbers
Soldiers: 60,000
Horses and mules: 25,000
Wagons: 2500
Ambulances: 600
Although massive in size, General Sherman has slimmed down his forces as much as possible in regards to the supplies they would transport or carry themselves. The purpose of this was simple: To keep his Army moving quickly. Individual soldiers would carry just one blanket, 40 rounds of ammunition, and 20 days rations.
In order to meet the challenge of feeding his soldiers, General Sherman uses special maps that are divided into counties. The map contains information about each county. Crop yields, Census data and tax revenue, are contained on these maps of every county in the state of Georgia. Sherman designed his march so he could exploit the more affluent counties.
Foraging parties would operate in groups of 15-20 men and would be sent out miles away from the main camp in pursuit of food, horses, and other supplies. From larger plantations, thousands of pounds of meat would be confiscated from smoke houses, along with cows, pigs, sheep, wagons, horses and other valuables. Women and children were left on the plantations while the men fought the war. Many women would attempt to bury valuables, such as silverware. Slaves often times would aid the foragers in locating these items.
Sherman would write, "The success of these men in foraging was one of the features of this march and I was amused at their strange collections." Foraging operations were permissible under the codes of war, however, southerners are outraged at crossing this line, which they deemed outrageous.
Sheman's Army consumes 300 tons of food a day and leaves the countryside ravaged and decimated. Because cotton is traded by the south, storage facilities and cotton gins are burned to the ground, further reeking havoc on the south's economy.
Horses and mules: 25,000
Wagons: 2500
Ambulances: 600
Although massive in size, General Sherman has slimmed down his forces as much as possible in regards to the supplies they would transport or carry themselves. The purpose of this was simple: To keep his Army moving quickly. Individual soldiers would carry just one blanket, 40 rounds of ammunition, and 20 days rations.
In order to meet the challenge of feeding his soldiers, General Sherman uses special maps that are divided into counties. The map contains information about each county. Crop yields, Census data and tax revenue, are contained on these maps of every county in the state of Georgia. Sherman designed his march so he could exploit the more affluent counties.
Foraging parties would operate in groups of 15-20 men and would be sent out miles away from the main camp in pursuit of food, horses, and other supplies. From larger plantations, thousands of pounds of meat would be confiscated from smoke houses, along with cows, pigs, sheep, wagons, horses and other valuables. Women and children were left on the plantations while the men fought the war. Many women would attempt to bury valuables, such as silverware. Slaves often times would aid the foragers in locating these items.
Sherman would write, "The success of these men in foraging was one of the features of this march and I was amused at their strange collections." Foraging operations were permissible under the codes of war, however, southerners are outraged at crossing this line, which they deemed outrageous.
Sheman's Army consumes 300 tons of food a day and leaves the countryside ravaged and decimated. Because cotton is traded by the south, storage facilities and cotton gins are burned to the ground, further reeking havoc on the south's economy.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Special Order 120
H.Q.s Military Div. of the Miss.
In the Field, Kingston, Georgia
In the Field, Kingston, Georgia
November 9th, 1864
Special Field Order
No 120
No 120
I. For the purpose of military operations, this Army is divided into two wings, viz:
The Right Wing, Maj. Gen O.O. Howard Commanding the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps;
The Left Wing, Maj. Gen. H.W. Slocum Commanding the Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps;
The Left Wing, Maj. Gen. H.W. Slocum Commanding the Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps;
II. The habitual order of march will be whenever practicable by four roads as near parallel as possible, and convening at points hereafter to be indicated in orders. The Cavalry Brig. Gen. Kilpatrick commanding will receive special orders from the Commander-in-Chief.
III. There will be no general trains of supplies but each Corps will have its ammunition train distributed habitually as follows: Behind each regiment should follow one wagon and one ambulance; behind each brigade should follow a due proportion of ammunition wagons, provision wagons and ambulances. In case of danger each Army Corps Commander should change this order of march by having his advance and rear brigades unencumbered by wheels. The separate columns will start habitually at 7 A.M. and make about fifteen miles per day unless otherwise fixed in orders.
IV. The Army will forage liberally on the country during the march,: 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 or any kind, meat of any kind, vegetables, cornmeal, or whatever is needed by the Command, aiming at all times to keep in the wagon trains at least ten days' provisions and three days' forage. Soldiers must not enter the dwellings of the inhabitants, or commit any trespass during the halt or a camp; they may be permitted to gather turnips, potatoes and other vegetables, and to drive in stock in sight of their camps. To regular foraging parties must be entrusted the gathering of provisions and forage at any distance from the road traveled.
V. To Army Corps Commanders is entrusted the power to destroy mills, houses, cotton gins, etc., and for them this general principle is laid down: in districts and neighborhoods where the Army is unmolested no destruction of such property should be permitted; but should guerrillas or bushwhakers molest our march, or should the inhabitants burn bridges, obstruct roads, or otherwise manifest local hostility, then Army Commanders should order and enforce a devastation more or less relentless, according to the measure of such hostility.
VI. As for horses, mules, wagons, etc., belonging to the inhabitants, the Cavalry and the Artillery may appropriate freely and without limit; discriminating, however, between the rich, who are usually hostile, and the poor or industrious usually neutral or friendly. Forging parties may also take mules or horses to replace jaded animals of their trains, or to serve as pack-mules for the regiments or brigades. In all foraging of whatever kind, the parties engaged will refrain from abusive or threatening language, and may, when the officer in charge thinks proper, give written certificates of the facts but no receipts, and they will endeavor to leave with each family a reasonable portion for their maintenance.
VII. Negroes, who are able-bodied and can be of service to the several columns, may be taken along; but each Army Commander will bear in mind that the questions of supplies is a very important one and that his first duty is to see to those who bear arms.
VIII. The organization at once of a good pioneer battallion for each Army Corps, composed if possible of Negroes, should be attended to. This battallion should follow the advance guard, should repair roads - and double them if possible, so that the columns will not be delayed after reaching bad places. Also Army Commanders should study the habit of giving the Artillery and wagons the road and marching their troops on one side; and also to instruct their troops to assist wagons at steep hills or bad crossing of streams.
IX. Captain O.M. Poe, Chief Engineer, will assign to each wing of the Army a pontoon train fully equipped and organized and the Commander thereof will see to its being properly protected at all times.
By order of
Maj. Gen. W.T. Sherman
(Signed) L.M. Dayton
Aide-de-Camp
Aide-de-Camp
Uncle Billy and the Foragers
General Sherman was beloved by his soldiers, many of them 19 years old or younger. As one soldier wrote "I feel I can go anywhere Uncle Billy leads me."
General Sherman headed east, towards Savannah. He has no lines of communication to either General Grant or President Lincoln, as he cut telegraph wires to hamper the Confederacy. He is risking his entire army as they are now without communication or reinforcements. General Sherman understands this but feels he can push through the heart to the Confederacy and show the south the war is not winnable for them.
The biggest obstacle is the lack of a supply, particulary food. General Sherman issued an order for his men to forage liberally off the land during the march in Special Field Order 120.
Sherman and his commanders know they must stay on the move. If the army is to stop for just a few days, the will exhaust the resources of the area they rest and will run out of food and other supplies. Any type of prolonged delay will seriously but his forces in jeopardy. Sherman realizes he his risking his army and reputation. He sums up the possible failure as being judged as the "crazy adventure of some old fool."
General Sherman headed east, towards Savannah. He has no lines of communication to either General Grant or President Lincoln, as he cut telegraph wires to hamper the Confederacy. He is risking his entire army as they are now without communication or reinforcements. General Sherman understands this but feels he can push through the heart to the Confederacy and show the south the war is not winnable for them.
The biggest obstacle is the lack of a supply, particulary food. General Sherman issued an order for his men to forage liberally off the land during the march in Special Field Order 120.
Sherman and his commanders know they must stay on the move. If the army is to stop for just a few days, the will exhaust the resources of the area they rest and will run out of food and other supplies. Any type of prolonged delay will seriously but his forces in jeopardy. Sherman realizes he his risking his army and reputation. He sums up the possible failure as being judged as the "crazy adventure of some old fool."
Monday, October 8, 2012
Burning Atlanta
Before beginning the march to the sea, Sherman orders his soldiers to destroy anything of "military potential in Atlanta." Unfortunately, some of his soldiers get out of control and begin torching all sorts of other things. When it is over, thirty percent of Atlanta was destroyed. Sherman felt that Atlanta had done more to facilitate the war than any other city, except for Richmond, therefore, he felt the actions completely justified.
The loss of Atlanta is disaterous for the Confederacy. Atlanta was a major railroad hub and a major idustrial center. It was a crucial logistcal city to support war efforts.
The next day, November 16th, 1864, Sherman and his army begin their march to the sea.
To the Sea
After securing Atlanta, Sherman proposes a plan to Grant. Sherman feels that at this point, it is useless to occupy Atlanta. With Grant's approval, he will take his 60,000 man Army and step out across Georgia to Savannah. Sherman want to "utterly" destroy Georgia's roads, bridges, houses, with the intent of crippling the southern economy and devastating their ability to wage war. A march to the sea.
The plan does have glaring weaknesses and is not without risking Sherman's 60,000 man strong army. He will be without a supply line, communication, a line of retreat or reinforcements. Both General Grant and President Lincoln are nervous, but agree to the plan nonetheless as they both agree that if successful, it will be a punishing blow to the Confederacy. Success will bring the war closer to an end and will eventually save thousands of soldiers lives on both sides.
The plan does have glaring weaknesses and is not without risking Sherman's 60,000 man strong army. He will be without a supply line, communication, a line of retreat or reinforcements. Both General Grant and President Lincoln are nervous, but agree to the plan nonetheless as they both agree that if successful, it will be a punishing blow to the Confederacy. Success will bring the war closer to an end and will eventually save thousands of soldiers lives on both sides.
Battle Plans
The plan to attack simultaneously. (Above).
Sherman marches to the south of Atlanta and
cuts off the railway and supply line.
March 19, 1864
On March 19th, 1864, General Grant, who was recently named the commander of the entire Union Army and General Sherman met to finalize plans for what they would hope would be a battle plan to end the war. They have an army of over a million men, but the war has waged for over three years and hundreds of thousands of died. There seems to be no end to the carnage in sight, but both men are resolved to solve this military problem and win victory for the Union.
President Lincoln felt he needed a victory to reassure his reelection in the Presidential race of 1864. News of a big victory he thought would reassure his reelection. General's Grant and Sherman were determined to give their Commander-in-Chief good news from the battlefield.
General Grant and Sherman will devise a plan for Union victory. General Grant will confront the main Confederate Army in Virginia while Sherman will attack Atlanta, Ga, the main supply depot for the Confederates. The plan boils down to attacking on all fronts simultaneously. When Sherman arrives back to his troops, he immediately implements the plan and after four months of fighting, he is reaches the outskirts of Atlanta in August of 1864.
General Sherman swung around Atlanta to the south and cut off the railway which supplied the city. The Confederates attacked the next day in Jonesville, GA. The fighting at Jonesville was brutal, primarily because the soldiers new what was at stake - Atlanta and all of her supplies. In one hour of fighting, the south looses 1700 men in what amounted to a slaughter. The Confederates withdrew and General Sherman was in possession of the second most important city in the south.
General Sherman dispatched a telegraph to President Lincoln that Atlanta had fallen. It is dramatic news and serves to bolster the war weary northerner's public opinion about the poll and serves to reaffirm that the Union can win the war. It also made clear President Lincoln would win reelection.
President Lincoln felt he needed a victory to reassure his reelection in the Presidential race of 1864. News of a big victory he thought would reassure his reelection. General's Grant and Sherman were determined to give their Commander-in-Chief good news from the battlefield.
General Grant and Sherman will devise a plan for Union victory. General Grant will confront the main Confederate Army in Virginia while Sherman will attack Atlanta, Ga, the main supply depot for the Confederates. The plan boils down to attacking on all fronts simultaneously. When Sherman arrives back to his troops, he immediately implements the plan and after four months of fighting, he is reaches the outskirts of Atlanta in August of 1864.
General Sherman swung around Atlanta to the south and cut off the railway which supplied the city. The Confederates attacked the next day in Jonesville, GA. The fighting at Jonesville was brutal, primarily because the soldiers new what was at stake - Atlanta and all of her supplies. In one hour of fighting, the south looses 1700 men in what amounted to a slaughter. The Confederates withdrew and General Sherman was in possession of the second most important city in the south.
General Sherman dispatched a telegraph to President Lincoln that Atlanta had fallen. It is dramatic news and serves to bolster the war weary northerner's public opinion about the poll and serves to reaffirm that the Union can win the war. It also made clear President Lincoln would win reelection.
To End the Civil War
In 1864, the American Civil War has been raging for three years. General William Tecumseh Sherman has an Army of 60,000 Union soldiers and a plan to march 650 miles in less than 100 marching days, through the heart of the Confederacy to wage a campaign to destroy the south's war making ability. General Sherman plans to burn and plunder from Atlanta to Savannah, crippling the south's economy. The second intent is wage psychological warfare against the civilian population and break the will to support the south's secession movement. General Sherman, Grant and President Lincoln are searching for the final blow to bring the war to its conclusion. The campaign will terrorize the civilians of Georgia and South Carolina and will immortalize General Sherman as the "Father of Total War." Prior to the campaign, Sherman proclaimed "I will make Georgia howl!" He was true to his word.
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