Unveiling the Truth Behind Sherman's March to the Sea
General William Tecumseh Sherman's infamous 'march to the sea' is often misunderstood and misattributed. Many believe that Sherman ordered his army to leave the war for a month, venturing through Georgia from Atlanta to Savannah. This is not accurate. The purpose of Sherman's campaign was multifaceted, and it played a crucial role in the strategic landscape of the American Civil War.
The Myth:
There is a popular myth that General Sherman ordered his army out of the war for almost a month, marching through Georgia from Atlanta to Savannah. This myth suggests that Sherman's forces were out of combat, which is a significant misrepresentation of the situation.
The reality is that Sherman's march was a carefully planned military operation that had clear strategic intentions. It was not a temporary withdrawal but a deliberate campaign designed to disrupt the Confederate supply lines and morale.
The Strategic Context:
By the fall of 1864, the Union armies, led by Generals Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman, were pressing the Confederacy hard. Sherman had successfully secured Atlanta in September, cutting off Confederate supplies and forcing them to transfer significant resources to defend their capital city.
Encouragement from Superiors:
Grant and Lincoln's Approval
General Sherman had the full support of his superiors. General Ulysses S. Grant and President Abraham Lincoln both approved of his strategic plans. Grant, who was responsible for overall Union strategy from the North, saw the potential of Sherman's march to the sea as a move to further isolate the Confederacy.
In a letter to Sherman, Grant wrote, 'If you can proposé anything short of Destruction of property, and Disruption of Southern Society, which will cripple their military resources, I will heartily indorse it.' This indicates that Sherman's campaign was intended to weaken the Confederacy's ability to continue the war.
Objective and Impact:
Strategic Goals
General Sherman's main goals were to destroy Confederate transportation and military infrastructure, disrupt their ability to feed their troops, and demoralize the civilian population. By targeting key resources and supplies, Sherman aimed to undermine the Confederacy's war effort.
The campaign was not meant to be a temporary withdrawal from combat. Instead, it was a well-planned and executed military operation designed to have long-lasting effects. Sherman believed that by destroying the South's ability to sustain its military forces and population, he could contribute to the overarching goal of defeating the Confederacy.
Impact on the War Effort:
Strategic Success
David Eicher, a prominent historian, described Sherman's campaign as 'a tremendous blow to the South's military and psychological capabilities.' By targeting critical resources and supplies, Sherman's march significantly hindered the Confederate war effort. His actions contributed to the eventual surrender of Robert E. Lee and his army, and the fall of other significant Confederate strongholds.
Impact on Confederate Strategy:
Lee, the Commander of the Confederate Army, was aware that Sherman's march to Savannah would eventually bring Union forces closer to his own front lines. This move by Sherman served as a deterrent, forcing Lee to allocate more resources to defend against Sherman. It also set the stage for the Campaign of the Carolinas, which further depleted Confederate manpower and resources.
Additionally, Sherman's destruction of resources and supply lines effectively 'bled' the Army of Northern Virginia. By cutting off essential supplies and increasing desertion rates, he did more than just weaken the Confederacy's ability to fight; he also weakened the morale of the soldiers who were left to fight.
Beyond the Battlefield:
Morale and Morale Impact
The impact of Sherman's march extended beyond the immediate military objectives. The devastation of civilian infrastructure and the food supply further weakened the Confederacy. Many soldiers left to support their families as the land they relied on for sustenance was destroyed.
This strategy was effective because it targeted the very fabric of Southern society. By making it clear that the Confederate armies were unable to protect their own people and resources, Sherman helped to break the spirit and will of the Confederacy to continue the fight.
Conclusion:
The march to the sea was a calculated and strategic operation, not a temporary abandonment of military duties. General Sherman's actions had a profound impact on the American Civil War, significantly weakening the Confederate war effort and contributing to the final victory of the Union.
By understanding the truth behind Sherman's march, we can appreciate the complexity of military operations and the strategic importance of destroying an enemy's resources and morale.