Sherman's March to the Sea

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary military objective of Sherman's March to the Sea?

To capture the city of Atlanta

To take Savannah, Georgia, as a supply base (correct)

To destroy the civilian population of Georgia

To advance on Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia

Why did Sherman propose to 'live off the land' during the March to the Sea?

To avoid leaving a garrison in Atlanta and to supply his army (correct)

To slow down his army's advance

To avoid contact with the Confederate army

To punish the civilian population of Georgia

What was the significance of Savannah, Georgia, in Sherman's plan?

It was a key city in the Confederate capital

It was a strategic location for launching a naval attack

It was a major supply base of ammunition and cotton (correct)

It was a center of Confederate military operations

What was the underlying philosophy behind Sherman's military strategy?

Total War Signup and view all the answers

What was the ultimate goal of Sherman's March to the Sea, beyond taking Savannah?

To turn north and advance on Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia Signup and view all the answers

What was General Sherman's instruction to his army regarding foraging for supplies during the march?

Appoint a 'discreet' officer to organize foraging parties to search for corn, vegetables, and meat Signup and view all the answers

Why did General Sherman choose to march through the most fertile and agriculturally productive area of Georgia?

To support the food needs of his 62,000-man army Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Battle of Griswoldville?

It was a small skirmish with significant casualties for the Georgia militia Signup and view all the answers

What was unique about the destruction of infrastructure during Sherman's March to the Sea?

It included innovative tactics like 'Sherman neckties' Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the siege of Savannah?

The city was surrendered by the mayor on December 21, 1864 Signup and view all the answers

What was the main objective of Sherman's March to the Sea?

To demoralize the civilian population of Georgia Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of Sherman's army staying in and around Savannah for one month?

The city was occupied by General Geary's XX Corps Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of Sherman's army appearing in North Carolina?

Robert E. Lee's planned escape route was cut off Signup and view all the answers

What was Sherman's intention regarding the civilian population of the Confederacy?

To make them feel the hard hand of war Signup and view all the answers

What concept is associated with Sherman's March to the Sea?

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Study Notes

Sherman's March to the Sea

Proposed by Major General William Tecumseh Sherman in September 1864, after capturing Atlanta, to take Savannah, Georgia, an important Confederate supply base of ammunition and cotton.
Sherman's army would then turn north to advance on Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, currently engaged with General Ulysses S. Grant, and General George Meade's Army of the Potomac at Petersburg, Virginia.

The Controversial Strategy

Sherman proposed to cut his army loose from the newly occupied Atlanta as a logistical base to supply his operations and supply itself through foraging.
He would not need to leave a garrison in Atlanta to protect his supply base and supply line.
Sherman knew that he would bring the horrors of war to the civilian population of Georgia through the destruction and devastation of the land as his army supplied itself with food and forage.

Conducting the War

Sherman was a proponent of what came to be called "Total War" in the twentieth century.
He issued General Order 120, which prescribed what he expected from his officers and soldiers.
Foraging parties, nicknamed "bummers", aimed to keep ten days of food in the supply wagons and three days of forage for the horses.
No soldier was allowed to enter any dwelling.
Only the four corps commanders in the army could order the destruction of any mills, cotton-gins, or houses.

The March

Sherman's 62,000-man army left Atlanta on November 15, 1864, and marched through Georgia, taking 37 days to reach Savannah.
The march took place through the most fertile and agriculturally productive area of Georgia, as determined by Sherman using the 1860 census numbers.
The army destroyed Georgia's infrastructure, including bridges, tunnels, and railroad tracks.
Military engagements were relatively small-scale, with skirmishes occurring almost daily.

The Battle of Savannah

On December 10, 1864, Sherman's army reached the outskirts of Savannah, defended by 10,000 Confederate troops.
Sherman sent a letter to General Hardee, stating that he had siege guns that could reach every location in Savannah and controlled every means of entrance and exit.
Sherman demanded the surrender of Savannah and all fortified positions, offering liberal terms to the inhabitants and garrison.
Hardee did not surrender, but neither did he fight. Instead, he escaped on a hastily built pontoon bridge over the Savannah River.

The Aftermath

On December 21, 1864, the mayor of Savannah, Richard Arnold, and some aldermen, approached Sherman with an offer to surrender the city if Sherman would agree to protect the citizens and property of Savannah.
Sherman accepted and ordered General Geary's XX Corps to occupy the city, providing provisions for the city's residents.
Sherman's army stayed in and around Savannah for one month before heading north into North Carolina, intending to move into Virginia and combine with Grant's army.

Significance

Sherman's March to the Sea was intended to demoralize the civilian population of Georgia and make them feel the hard hand of war.
The march was a significant aspect of the concept of "Total War", where civilians are a military target during war.
The march shortened the war, as it cut off Robert E. Lee's planned escape route.
The psychological impact of the march led to an increase in desertions in Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.

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Description

Learn about Sherman's March to the Sea, a military campaign during the American Civil War. Understand the strategy behind the march and its significance.