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.