Lauren Henderson's Blog : Sherman's Atlanta Campaign and March

Atlanta Campaign

The war had been at a stale mate for a while now. Neither side had been able to win any big battles of late, so the Confederates and the Union were basically sitting around waiting. The Confederacy was on the wrong side though, soldiers were losing hope and because the south was inexperienced, they did not have much of a chance. Although, the Union had not been doing the things it was going to take to win the war. All the rebels had to do was not be beat. The plan to keep up this defensive strategy was simple; keep Ulysses S. Grant's army away from Richmond, and make sure that Joseph E. Johnston's army did not give Atlanta to William Sherman's army at bay. If the south could keep up this defensive plan until November of 1864, then George B. McClellan might win the election. If you remember, McClellan had been demoted by Lincoln as commander so he was looking for revenge, so he claimed that he would file for truce and end the war. Although, Sherman refused to let that happen, he could not see the bad southerners get their way and become their own country. He was a war veteran but had failed as a business man in the years since. William went back onto the battlefield for the Civil War, but he became so stressed that he went home. At one point he even contemplated taking his own life. His wife saved him, he wrote to Lincoln begging him for another chance. Sherman quickly rose in the ranks and bonded with the drunk, Ulysses S. Grant. They overcame their imperfections, and Grant ended up becoming the commander of the Union army. Both men wanted to end the war as soon as possible, and it seemed like it would be coming soon, considering the two had not been stopped since they had teamed up. The Atlanta Campaign had begun with a little skirmish at Tunnel Hill in May of 1864. Sherman was facing General Johnston who had a history of being very timid when it came to fighting. So Sherman was confident, he outnumbered the Confederate army, his troops had high spirits, and the soldiers knew they would be fed, well at least until Atlanta. Sherman stormed his way down and quickly got close to Atlanta. By May, the civilians of Atlanta knew the fall was coming. Atlanta had doubled in population since the war had begun and its industry was booming. Sherman would let nothing stand in his way. Jefferson Davis heard the news too, so he fired Johnston and replaced with John B. Hood. Hood took over on July 18, and meanwhile Sherman's army was just miles outside the city. The Union went around the outskirts of Atlanta, breaking and destroying train tracks along the way. The two armies finally met in Jonesboro, and fought hard. Sherman than invaded Atlanta, burning and eating away at everything he could. While the whole city seemed to burn in ashes, only 30 percent was burned. But for the people it seemed like more. The ones who had decided to stay had to see their homes burned and crops taken. The city that had grown so much during the Civil War now had to start back up. William Sherman ordered an evacuation of the city, and planted his headquarters here. It was in Atlanta that he would regroup and plan for the infamous March to the Sea.

Sherman's March to the Sea

Sherman had Atlanta under his control, but wanted to move on. He could leave though until he received approval from the White House that he may continue on his rampage through Georgia. Sherman wanted to run down Georgia to Savannah, destroying everything in his path. For two months he headquartered in Atlanta and prepared for what historians called "hard war" or "total war", even "scorching earth". William and Ulysses S. Grant had become good friends during the latter stages of the Civil War, so the Union Army leader was able to convince Lincoln, who had just become the president once again, to allow the expedition. Abraham wanted Sherman to go through Alabama and destroy some ports in Mobile, but Sherman convinced him otherwise and the March officially began on November 15, 1864. William T. Sherman made some risky moves; he cut off all supply lines but studied census maps closely to see where his soldiers would be able to steal food from farmers. General John B. Hood who had just become commander of the Confederate Army was at a loss of words when Sherman's plan of raid spread across the south. Hood decided to take a risky move and abandoned Atlanta and headed west. He moved his troops up into Tennessee and down into Alabama, hoping that Sherman would follow. Sherman did not take the bait, but he did send General George H. Thomas up to finish the rebels off. Sherman divided his roughly 60,000 troops into two wings. The right wing was commanded by Oliver O. Howard and the right wing was commanded by Henry W. Slocum. The Confederates on the other hand had about 8,000 men and were commanded by Joseph Wheeler. Sherman, also called "Uncle Billy" on the march, had only 2,500 supply wagons and 800 ambulances with him. It was obvious they would be living off the land. The two wings went two different routes, the right one going to Macon and the left one going to Augusta. They came across each other and head toward the then capital, Milledgeville. On November 23, the state capital surrendered knowing that there was no way they could stop Sherman. William occupied the vacant governor's mansion and capital building. The army became quite comfortable on the trek. "Bummers" would do the dirty work and raid people's houses in search for food. But they often stole more things, including silver, pots, pans, gold, and live animals. Because many husbands were at war, the poor women could not fend for themselves. Slaves came along the journey too. Most Union soldiers had never seen a black person before, but they believed slavery was wrong and welcomed the former slaves along. Although, Sherman did not really want blacks to come along on the march. The army was on limited supply and Sherman did not think a black man was above a white one. Most slaves did not care, they were free for the first time and being a part of this march would be the first real thing they had done as a free man. Sherman's army moved through Georgia at ease, most people had already evacuated the state after the Confederate army realized what was happening. The biggest battle occurred at Fort McAllister on December 13. Not many died, but by capturing this fort, Savannah's gates had been opened. Sherman now had Savannah at his fingertips. He went to Hilton Head, South Carolina to make final preparations. Mayor Richard Arnold of Savannah realized that nothing could be done, so he surrendered Savannah on December 22. Sherman wrote Lincoln a telegraph offering 25,000 bales of cotton to the president as a Christmas gift. Sherman's March to the Sea was an act only the bravest man would attempt. The march scared and demoralized folks of Georgia. While Sherman did not burn anything else and not many more actual fights occurred, the state was in a terrible position. The hope for winning the war was gone and the southerners were without husbands, food, slaves, and for some, a place to stay.