In the spring of 1864 Grant pursued Lee throughout Virginia, while the union General william T. sherman moved towards atlanta, with his army of 100,000 men, still excited about winning their past battles in southern tennessee. But they ran into a resistance of Joseph Johnston. He lead an army of less people, but they were more experienced than the Union Army. Johnston’s tactics were shaped by the military realities and politics. He realized that Lincoln’s re-election was doubtful. Johnston’s goal, therefore, was to avoid a disaster—stay in the field, slow Sherman’s march, and prevent the Union general and the American president from gaining a large victory.

the general understood politics better than the politician. Confederate president