Sherman's March to the Sea
The North’s approach to winning the Civil War was to “blockade, divide, and conquer” the South. Union General William T. Sherman was put in charge of dividing the South on land, along with General Ulysses Grant. Sherman was most famous for capturing Atlanta, Georgia during his famous “March to the Sea.” In late December 1864, Sherman concluded this march as an “early Christmas present” for Lincoln.
In the “March to the Sea,” General Sherman spread out his men and destroyed Georgia, traveling from Atlanta to coastal Savannah, pillaging Georgia’s two largest cities. Because General Sherman was the first American practitioner of “total war,” he waged warfare on southerners’ farms, homes, crops, railroads, warehouses, and fields. Essentially, he destroyed all civilian property to dampen Southern morale.
In the “March to the Sea,” General Sherman spread out his men and destroyed Georgia, traveling from Atlanta to coastal Savannah, pillaging Georgia’s two largest cities. Because General Sherman was the first American practitioner of “total war,” he waged warfare on southerners’ farms, homes, crops, railroads, warehouses, and fields. Essentially, he destroyed all civilian property to dampen Southern morale.
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Sherman Astride His Horse
The photograph of Sherman on the horse personifies his status as one of the great Union military leaders. His upright posture symbolizes the Union’s strength during times of chaos and reflects on the Union’s perceived moral righteousness.
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Map of the Sherman's March to the Sea
The map shows the route of Sherman’s troops during the March to the Sea, highlighting the specific areas that suffered the most. Sherman’s route profoundly impacted the Southerners who resided in his path, considering that Sherman pursued a policy of total war, and thus waged war on their home front.
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Union Soldiers with Cannon
During a siege of a Georgian fort, the Union soldiers utilized cannons in order to emphasize the superiority of Northern military technology and manufacturing.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/0/4/25043004/8534936.jpg)
Destruction of Atlanta Homes
Because General Sherman focused on a policy of “total war,” this photo depicts propaganda utilized by the Southerners to highlight the destruction of the March to the Sea. The fire set by the Union soldiers to burn the city emphasized the Northern determination to preserve the Union.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/0/4/25043004/2882872.jpg)
Headquarters at Savanna
After General Sherman captured Savannah in December 1864, ending the March to the Sea, he established a Union military headquarter in Savannah. Along with 25,000 bales of cotton, Sherman presented this building as an actual Christmas present to President Lincoln.
Civil War Music: Ashokan Farewell
Quiz
1. What state was Sherman's March to the Sea in?
a) South Carolina
b) Texas
c) Georgia
d) Hawaii
2. What are the two major cities that were destroyed during Sherman's March to the Sea?
a) Colombia and Raleigh
b) Atlanta and Savanna
c) New York City and Philadelphia
d) Dallas and Austin
3. What is total war?
a) adding up all the expenses of the war to get a grand total
b) a count of the total number of deaths and casualties
c) killing everyone on the enemy side and taking no prisoners of war
d) a complete annihilation of Southern home front
4. Who is Sherman's co-General?
a) Ulysses S. Grant
b) Robert E. Lee
c) George McClellan
d) Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
5. Where did Sherman establish a Union military capital?
a) Atlanta
b) Savanna
c) Springfield
d) Des Moines
a) South Carolina
b) Texas
c) Georgia
d) Hawaii
2. What are the two major cities that were destroyed during Sherman's March to the Sea?
a) Colombia and Raleigh
b) Atlanta and Savanna
c) New York City and Philadelphia
d) Dallas and Austin
3. What is total war?
a) adding up all the expenses of the war to get a grand total
b) a count of the total number of deaths and casualties
c) killing everyone on the enemy side and taking no prisoners of war
d) a complete annihilation of Southern home front
4. Who is Sherman's co-General?
a) Ulysses S. Grant
b) Robert E. Lee
c) George McClellan
d) Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
5. Where did Sherman establish a Union military capital?
a) Atlanta
b) Savanna
c) Springfield
d) Des Moines
Quiz Answer Key
1. C
2. B
3. D
4. A
5. B
2. B
3. D
4. A
5. B
Citations
Gettysburg - 150th Anniversary. N.d. Photograph. Official Gallon Historical Art GalleryWeb. 5 Dec
2013. <http://www.gallon.com/>.
Major General W. T. Sherman and Horse near Atlanta, Georgia. 1865. Photograph. Library of Congress,
Washington DC.
Sherman's March Map. N.d. Photograph. http://www.maps.com/ref_map.aspx?pid=11330Web. 5 Dec 2013.
Knox, David. Confederate Seacoast Artillery. 1865. Civil War Museum, Richmond. civilwar.com.
Photograph. 1 Dec. 2013
Barnard, George N. Atlanta in ruins during the Civil War, circa 1864.. 2009. Photograph. Atlanta in ruins during the Civil
War, circa 1864.Web. 5 Dec 2013.
General Sherman's Headquarters during March to the Sea. 1890. Ball-point pen. Civil War Museum,
Richmond.
Ungar, J. (Writer) (n.d.). Ashokan farewell [Web]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpBuky70rMg
(Citations are in the order of the pictures seen above. The last citation is for the YouTube link to Ashokan Farewell.)
2013. <http://www.gallon.com/>.
Major General W. T. Sherman and Horse near Atlanta, Georgia. 1865. Photograph. Library of Congress,
Washington DC.
Sherman's March Map. N.d. Photograph. http://www.maps.com/ref_map.aspx?pid=11330Web. 5 Dec 2013.
Knox, David. Confederate Seacoast Artillery. 1865. Civil War Museum, Richmond. civilwar.com.
Photograph. 1 Dec. 2013
Barnard, George N. Atlanta in ruins during the Civil War, circa 1864.. 2009. Photograph. Atlanta in ruins during the Civil
War, circa 1864.Web. 5 Dec 2013.
General Sherman's Headquarters during March to the Sea. 1890. Ball-point pen. Civil War Museum,
Richmond.
Ungar, J. (Writer) (n.d.). Ashokan farewell [Web]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpBuky70rMg
(Citations are in the order of the pictures seen above. The last citation is for the YouTube link to Ashokan Farewell.)