Tales from Tennessee and Beyond: Sherman's March to the Sea

Sherman's March to the Sea, or the Savannah Campaign took place between November 15th and December 21st 1864. The goal was to march through the heart of the Confederacy, and destroy everything in their path. This idea was known as scorched earth policy. Ulysses S. Grant tasked William Tecumseh Sherman to carry out this operation. The plan was to march through Georgia, burn Atlanta, and reach the port in Savannah and seize it. This would give the Union control of one of the Confederacy's main supply lines. This would also disrupt the Confederacy's economy forcing them to surrender. This march could also draw away many Confederate forces from Virginia, leaving Richmond and General Lee vulnerable to attack. Sherman began his march in Atlanta. He made sure the city was destroyed before he left. Sherman was not very familiar with this area, so he had to have a guide. The 1st Alabama Cavalry Regiment was tasked with this job. This regiment was made up of Southern men and boys who wanted to remain loyal to the Union. This regiment proved vital to Sherman, he now knew where he was going. Throughout the march, Sherman picked up many men along the way. Sherman did not like this. He felt that they cut down on his supplies. At one river crossing Sherman and his army crossed, but they destroyed the bridge behind them, leaving many of these extra men behind. Sherman thought the less men he had, the better. Sherman and his men finally made it to Savannah on December 10th. Much to his surprise, Confederate General William J. Hardee and 10,000 men were already there. They were preventing Sherman from linking up with the U.S. Navy, like he had planned to do. Sherman decided to send William B. Hazen to capture Fort McAllister. Hazen had the fort captured in fifteen minutes. This allowed Sherman to link up with the Navy, and force Hardee to escape. On December 21st the people of Savannah surrendered to Sherman and his Union army. In just a few short months, the Confederacy would surrender. This was one of the final blows to the Confederacy.