What was shermans goal in march to the sea?

Answer 1

To attack the infrastructure that supported the Confederate armies in the field - burning farms and killing livestock, to starve the troops.

To become less dependent on his vulnerable supply-line, as he would be able to live off the land.

To make a political gesture through punitive raids that brought home to the South the folly of seceding from the USA.

To liberate the blockade-runners' port of Savannah.

To drive out what few Confederate troops might still be left in Georgia.