sherman's atlanta campaign and march to sea

http://www.wired.com/thisdayintech/2010/11/1115-sherman-march-to-sea/

The Atlanta campaign was the first out of 2 campaigns that union general William t. Sherman commanded. His principle was to gain and occupy Atlanta, due to Atlanta’s role as a major railroad hub of the south and its industrial capabilities, in which would cause a significant loss for the confederacy. Confederate general Joseph Johnston army was outnumbered 2 to 1 by the union’s army. He then decided to use defensive tactics against Sherman to at the very least try to slow down union soldiers. This defensive work ethic was utilized as a distraction. Similarly, when you’re hiding something from your parents, you do or say things to distract them. While Johnston hoped to lure Sherman into costly head on attacks, Sherman would simply go around, or out flank, the CSA’s position. He then continued to advance to what he really wanted, Atlanta. By the time general Johnston would realize this, it would be too late to attack on the union soldiers to they would have to withdrawal from their defensive strongholds. Because he repeatedly had to withdrawal, allowing Sherman and his men to get closer and closer to Atlanta untouched, he was replaced by a more aggressive general, confederate general john b. hood. Hood was instructed to take on Sherman’s army head on and protect the city of Atlanta, and he did so as commanded. Even thought he put in his best effort to halt and stall the union soldiers, he was unsuccessful, allowing Sherman to get close enough to Atlanta to begin to bombard it with cannon fire. On September 2, 1864, General Hood was forced to withdraw from Atlanta leaving the city open for Union occupation. Sherman held the city for more than two months planning for what was to be called The March to the Sea. On Nov 15, 1864, Sherman’s army left Atlanta. He left Atlanta burning, ruining everything in his path. from 

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/8620/Fires-blaze-while-Union-soldiers-destroy-railroad-tracks-in-Atlanta

from November 15 until December 21, 1864, Union General William T. Sherman led some 60,000 soldiers on a 285-mile march from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia. The purpose of this “March to the Sea” was to frighten Georgia’s civilian population into abandoning the Confederate cause. After conquering Atlanta, Sherman set his mind on the rest of Georgia, and the punishment they deserved for being responsible for starting this war and these were to be the consequences they were to face. From November 15 until December 21, 1864, Union General William T. Sherman led some 60,000 soldiers on a 300-mile long and 60 miles wide march from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia. Throughout this time, Hood attempted to once again, lure Sherman in their direction towards Tennessee, leaving Sherman and his men a clear, smooth path to savannah. Sherman’s men were instructed to liberally forage on the county during the march. They were also instructed to not disturb citizen unless they resisted and fought back, then they were allowed to set their houses and crops on fire. There were only two battles during Sherman’s March to Sea and the battle of Griswoldville was the most tragic. Sherman’s battle-hardened army was attacked by a force of Georgia militia made up of men too old and boys too young to fight in the regular army.  In this battle over 650 of the Georgians were killed in comparison to 62 Union soldiers.  With no confederates to fight off any longer, they arrived in savannah Georgia December 22, 1864. When they arrived at savannah, they not wanting to be bombarded just like griswoldville was, surrendered to the union almost immediately. He then sent Abraham the good news in a telegram enunciating, “I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah. . . .” This win was imperative for Lincoln to be reelected in 1864. 

http://www.ducksters.com/history/shermans_march_to_the_sea.php

video of shermans march to sea: http://www.history.com/topics/shermans-march/interactives/shermans-march

shermans field orders: http://www.sewanee.edu/faculty/Willis/Civil_War/documents/Sherman120.html