to protect their families in the north
to end the war as swifly ible
Because he was worried about his supply-line, and told Grant that he would not be able to pursue the enemy into difficult mountain country, as ordered. Instead he wanted to carry out punitive raids on the Georgia farms and railroads, living off the land as he went. This would wreck the Southern economy and help to starve the Confederate armies in the field. As Sherman carried credibility with Grant, this was eventually approved, and it turned out to be a spectacular success, shortening the war by months at almost nil casualties.
Ironically, it was because Sherman had failed to carry out Grant's orders to destroy the Army of Tennessee, which had escaped from Atlanta into the mountains. Sherman was also increasingly worried about his long and vulnerable supply-line - a single-track railroad that was always being blown up by Confederate cavalry. So Sherman decided to 'exploit his limits' by turning South-east across Georgia, living off the land, conducting punitive raids on the farms, and wrecking the railroads, before liberating the blockade-runners' port of Savannah. This had the effect of starving the Confederate armies in the field and devastating civilian morale. It undoubtedly shortened the war by months.
For the 1864 Union campaign, only General Sherman's army was given the explicit goal of cutting Southern rail links. He was to wage a conventional march on Atlanta, and from there cut as many Rebel railway links as possible. Later in 1864, Sherman's plans would be altered.
It is not certain that he did so deliberately. But he was determined to punish South Carolina for being the first state to secede, and so he continued the destructive course he had started in Georgia. He would certainly have intended to leave his mark on the state capital. The reason for burning cities was to kill the Confederacy's ability to wage war and to destroy the will to fight.
To punish the civilians for having taken part in the rebellion, and started the war. To bring the war to the home front, and attack the 'soft underbelly' of the Southern war effort. To despoil the farms, burn the crops, slaughter the livestock, free the slaves... to bring the Confederate armies closer to starvation.
Grant was willing to fight hard enough to end the war. Sherman instituted the tactic of destroying an enemy's infrastructure and ability to wage war. Example: Sherman's march to the sea through Atlanta, GA.
To change the course of the war. Grant and Sherman both believed that it was the strength of the people's will that was keeping the war going.
To destroy the civilian infrastructure that supported the armies in the field. Sherman's March to the Sea wrecked farms and railroads, helping to starve the enemy troops. It shortened the war by months at almost nil casualties.
Sherman was the first to wage war on both civilians & military aspects of the nation Sherman was the first to wage war on both civilians & military aspects of the nation Sherman was the first to wage war on both civilians & military aspects of the nation
Because he was worried about his supply-line, and told Grant that he would not be able to pursue the enemy into difficult mountain country, as ordered. Instead he wanted to carry out punitive raids on the Georgia farms and railroads, living off the land as he went. This would wreck the Southern economy and help to starve the Confederate armies in the field. As Sherman carried credibility with Grant, this was eventually approved, and it turned out to be a spectacular success, shortening the war by months at almost nil casualties.
Total War is most identified with Sherman, whose punitive raids across Georgia and South Carolina clearly shortened the conflict by months at minimal casualties. Grant had already put the same thing into practice when he told Phil Sheridan to devastate the Shenandoah Valley - also rich farming country. The policy was to attack the civilian infrastructure that underpinned the Confederacy, wreck their economy, and starve the Confederate troops in the field.
Sherman's March to the Sea, led by General William Tecumseh Sherman during the American Civil War, had a profound impact on the Confederacy. The march aimed to destroy the South's ability to wage war and break the morale of its people. It resulted in widespread destruction of crops, livestock, and infrastructure, causing significant economic and psychological damage to the Confederacy.
General William Tecumseh Sherman led the notorious "March to the Sea" through Georgia during the American Civil War. Starting in Atlanta in November 1864, Sherman and his Union forces marched through the state, destroying infrastructure and civilian property as they went. The goal of the campaign was to cripple the Confederacy's ability to wage war and ultimately hasten the end of the Civil War.
William Tecumseh Sherman began his Civil War career as a Colonel of the 13th US Infantry Regiment and ended his career as the Commanding General of the United States army. He is best known for you actions in the Civil War, where his performance was mixed. Still, his March to the Sea in 1864 was a success in its goal to cripple the Confederate's ability to wage war. His brutal and devastating method of waging war ("Hard War" he called it) remains controversial to this day.
Shermanâ??s March to the Sea is known for its brutality and effectiveness. By destroying the Southâ??s infrastructure, hitting both industry and military targets, Sherman effectively destroyed the Southâ??s ability to wage war. He used his concept of total war, which involved civilians in the consequences of war. By bringing the horrors of war to their doorsteps, he knew they would demand their government end the war.
Ironically, it was because Sherman had failed to carry out Grant's orders to destroy the Army of Tennessee, which had escaped from Atlanta into the mountains. Sherman was also increasingly worried about his long and vulnerable supply-line - a single-track railroad that was always being blown up by Confederate cavalry. So Sherman decided to 'exploit his limits' by turning South-east across Georgia, living off the land, conducting punitive raids on the farms, and wrecking the railroads, before liberating the blockade-runners' port of Savannah. This had the effect of starving the Confederate armies in the field and devastating civilian morale. It undoubtedly shortened the war by months.
Yes- your question contains a fair summary of Grant's strategy, I think.