by Aimee Schrader

Created on: February 16, 2009

One of the most controversial moves of the Civil War came from the North in Sherman's march to the sea. Though war knows very little bounds, this attack on civilian life in the south furthered the breakdown of an already weakening southern force. Beginning in Atlanta on November 18, 1864, and concluding in Savannah on December 21st of the same year, this controversial move destroyed farms, livestock, buildings, and railroad property.

In order to accomplish this move, Sherman's men were split into two wings. Staying only between twenty and forty miles apart, forces of the east and west wings headed toward the cities of Macon and Augusta, raiding farms and plantations along their path. Soldiers were known to steal cattle and goods, tear down fences, and burn countless amounts of land and property. Rail lines were bent and torn apart as a means of keeping supplies from reaching southern forces, and water supplies were compromised.

The towns of Macon and Agusta were left untouched by Sherman's men. They headed instead for the capital, and though a Confederate cavalry of roughly 8,000 men stood in the way of the Northern pillagers, they were no match. The state's capital, then Milledgeville, soon fell to Sherman's forces.

On the movement continued. There were battles along the way, but none so great to deter the actions of General Sherman's men. As the news hit the papers, it was many on both sides, North and South, who cried out at the actions of Sherman. For not only were innocent people being attacked, but many wondered about the condition of those young soldiers involved in the march. Once taught right from wrong by their parents, the heartless plundering of this group was being praised by many. Mothers and fathers alike grew distraught as their young men continued to march. Would they ever see right from wrong the same way again?

It was near Christmas of that year when the city of Savannah, Georgia fell to the Union. A small army of men was all that protected Savannah from both wings of Sherman's men. Not wanting his men to be undoubtedly wiped out by the Union forces, Lieutenant General Hardee of the Confederate side ordered his men to retreat to South Carolina. Without a fight Sherman siezed Savannah, along with the many goods left there.

Sherman's march to the sea was not a proud moment in the Union's strategy to win. It was simply an attack aimed at decreasing the moral and available resources of the South. Though this goal was accomplished, I consider it to be one of the darkest chapters in a war that tore apart our nation.

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