William Tecumseh Sherman- The taking of Atlanta and the March to the Sea

May 9 through December 22, 1864

Two Portions of the March

Sherman’s Goals and plan of action

Atlanta was the railway lifeline of the South. It supplied Southern troops with granaries, munitions, reinforcements, and a point of pride for the Southern people as the Union could not take it.

Sherman was not the same type of soldier that Grant was, although they did share some of the same qualities. Unlike Grant, Sherman would not allow

his troops to face heavy casualties. Similar to Grant, Sherman would flank

to the South to continue on path to his goal.

Sherman’s Opposition Sherman’s Army numbered 100,000 and his

adversary for the beginning would be Joseph Johnston, whose army numbered only 50,000.

As well, Jefferson Davis was beginning to become angered at the passivity of Joe Johnston as many of his corps commanders were as well.

It was said that when Johnston went duck hunting, “The bird flew too high or too low- the dogs were too far or too near- things never did suit exactly.” And this is the way that Johnston fought. He never was willing to commit his troops to battle unless the preparations were absolutely perfect.

The Action towards Atlanta

The general tendency of both armies during this campaign was cautiousness, as neither side wished to place their troops into any final battle.

Sherman would often probe the Confederate defenses but spent most of the campaign sending out right flanking maneuvers to the Southwest of Johnston.

The Action towards Atlanta

On the night of May 12-13, Sherman sent James B. McPherson on a flanking movement to Resaca to take on two Confederate brigades.

After McPherson became overly cautious and decided not to commit to a full attack and then finally retreat, Sherman stated “Well Mac, you missed the opportunity of your life.”

The Action towards Atlanta

Having intelligence that Sherman had split his army into thirds in order to travel down three separate roads, in order to move quicker towards Atlanta, Joe Johnston sent his biggest detractor, Corps Commander John Bell Hood, who was already a Southern hero from Chickamauga and Gettysburg and lost his left arm and right leg at those respective battles, to make an attack upon the Union’s left flank under John Schofield.

The Action towards Atlanta

John Bell Hood, who was the first person to send correspondence to Jefferson Davis complaining about Joseph Johnston’s McClellan-like cautiousness, heard intelligence stating that the Union had more numbers on their left flank then Johnston had anticipated, so he decides not to make this attack.

The Union once again flanks to the right.

The Only Union commitment of the campaign

The only direct attack by Sherman in the entire campaign was at Kennesaw Mountain on June 27, as Sherman sent a feint on both sides and a direct attack in the center by George Henry Thomas.

After losing 3,000 in casualties, Sherman pulled back his troops and flanked to his left this time.

August of 1864

Sherman continued to split up his army and attack small pickets around Atlanta and the railroad lines on each Geographical direction heading into Atlanta to lay siege to it, though little direct fighting did take place.

On September 1, William Tecumseh Sherman was on the outskirts of Atlanta as John Bell Hood evacuated Atlanta after destroying everything of military value in the city.

The destruction of Atlanta

When he entered Atlanta, Sherman issued an order requiring all the people to leave within five days. Hood protested against this order, and the mayor and council of Atlanta appealed to Sherman to withdraw it, pointing out that most of the inhabitants were women and children, who would suffer greatly if compelled to leave their homes.

When all preparations for the southward march had been made and the people had been forced to depart, Sherman burned Atlanta to the ground.

The Burning of Atlanta

The Concurrent Destruction of 40,000 strong

Army of the Tennessee under John Bell Hood