The Effect Of Sherman's March On The Cause Of The Civil War

Union claims victory! The march that had started on November 15th, has ended. Union Gen. William T. Sherman claims the city of Savannah, on December 21st. Many Georgian hearts are broken again, after their recent defeat in Atlanta. This march has caused major damage to the Confederate economy, transportation system, and their will to win. This determined march started at the captured city of Atlanta to Savannah. It also included, 62,000 troops from the Union Georgia and Tennessee Armies. The troops marched in a 50 mile wide column that brought destruction to whatever it touched. Sherman 's troops destroyed agriculture, industry infrastructures, and civilian owned property; as part of the scorched earth warfare. Civilian property that they destroyed included houses and barns that they owned. They also took horses and mules on their way to Savannah. They also destroyed railroad, by melting the rails down and tying them in knots around trees. These ties, I would say, represents true Northern victory.

Sherman didn’t use a traditional supply line for his troops. His troops lasted on their rations and privileged food from the wild, Confederate farms, and families. Such actions of privileged food would affected the moral of Confederate citizens and troops. It did a fine job of affecting the Confederacy by gaining ground on Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Virginia. As Sherman’s March puts more pressure on Lee’s men, Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant gained ground on the advantage of the march. So what will be the Confederates next move to this offense? Will the Union win in a matter of months or will this war go on longer than any of us can