Sherman's march to sea
- Lawden
- mswogger
- H2O
- H2O
- MelissaJames
- Unreconstructed
- Unreconstructed
- Sproco22
- olddude33
- AnchoritSybarite
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» Lawden - sherman's march to the sea
Mike--WE are looking for a map of Sherman's march to the sea (savannah) and fromt ehre north to the end. DO you know a web site or a book that has a map that clearly demonstartes the dates, movements, and perhaps battles that occured on the way.thanx
dennis
-- posted by Lawden
» mswogger - Book...
I've checked some websites, but found nothing. I know there is a book out there called "Sherman's March," and it may have what you're looking for. Also check in general Civil War text. I'll look around myself, and if I find anything, I'll let you know.Thanks!
-- posted by mswogger
» H2O - Visit sites
If you're ever in Atlanta, be sure to visit some of the sites relating to Sherman's march.Kennessaw Mountain battlefield still has the earthworks bunkers that the Confederate soldiers dug with whatever they had. Today these bunkers are posted to keep people off them.
The Cyclorama was one of many paintings painted by German and Polish painters right here in Milwaukee. The vast majority dealt with Civil War battles, often commissioned by politicians after the war to show their exploits, both real and imagined. There are two left; one in Gettysburg detailing the battle there, and the one in Atlanta detailing the battles for Atlanta.
Finally, Stone Mountain is, I suppose, the Confederate "Mount Rushmore." Not only is the relief sculpture exquisite, but they have a great laser light show at night.
-- posted by H2O
» H2O - Sherman's march
To Vicki:Sherman's intent was not to cut off Federal supply lines, but Confederate supply lines. Since Atlanta was the hub of Confederate commercial activity (a southern Chicago?), that was definitely a stop on Sherman's trip.
And yes, war is never pretty. People die--even if the action is nothing more than "air strikes." It would be nice if war were eradicated, but people have yet to find a solution to the problem, even with all the barbaric and cruel activity that accompanies it.
-- posted by H2O
» MelissaJames - Sherman's March
Sherman was raised by another family than his own. He understood that the actual structures of homes could be replaced, while loved ones could not. His march to the sea probably saved thousands of lives on both sides and simultaneously helped bring the war to a close. I have been told that the murdering and raping of civilians has long been exaggerated. While bringing the war to civilians does seem harsh, Sherman knew that only total warfare would end the war. Having lived in the South before the war started, he had a better idea from the beginning what he was up against and what would be required. Grant wanted Sherman to join him at Petersburg to fight. Sherman wanted to try another tactic other than fighting. Civil War armies were virtually impossible to destroy. They would usually regroup to fight another day. Perhaps Sherman was one of first to understand this.-- posted by MelissaJames
» Unreconstructed - Re: the march...
Dear Mr. Swogger,I was very amused by your obviously "Yankee" opinion,and profile of Mr.Sherman.In my humble "Rebel" opinion,neither Sherman,or Grant,were great Generals.You,in usual "Yankee" tradition,neglected to tell Vicki,that both "gentlemen",were total alchoholics,and Sherman was at best a psycopathic Barbarian.
This fantasy that ya'll have poisoned us with,for the past 140 years,has become a lame,and feeble excuse,for "Yankee" expansionism,that continues to this very day.
The truth is that the ACW,was not in fact about slavery,but economics.The heavily populated North,rich in industrial wealth,but very poor agriculturally,relied upon the Southern states,with our long growing season,just to eat.You people still couldn't grow enough to eat.
Maybe Vicki should ask why,if Sherman was such a Military genious,did an outnumbered,barefooted Army keep him stuffed in a whiskey bottle for 4 years.
Maybe Vicki should also study more about the more moral officers,and gentleman,like Longstreet,Lee,and Stuart.
-- posted by Unreconstructed
» Unreconstructed - Re: sherman
Dear Vicki,You're 100% right.Cruel,and didn't care.Just like all Yankees.I'm sure he was also loud,obnoxious,and rude,just like all Yankees.
-- posted by Unreconstructed
» Sproco22 - motivation
Hi, I am new to this site, so I don't really know how it works. I am wondering if anyone has any information on what exactly Sherman thought he was accomplishing during his march to the sea. What were his motivations? What did he think he was doing? I am writing a term paper and I'm offcially stuck. Some sources would be great. Just let me know if you have any information. Thanks!-- posted by Sproco22
» AnchoritSybarite - Re: Re: Book...
In response to message posted by olddude33:I just read the book last month--an excellent history of the march and his motivations.
Vickidee, if you're still there, his motivation was to raise Hell. Despite his later protestations to the contrary his actions throughout and especially in South Carolina were to make "them" howl. His strategy was to actively avoid fighting enemy troops. His route through Georgia was a three pronged advance through the center of the state, designed to pin what few troops opposing him to protecting Macon and Augusta (each of them were legitimate military targets). Again his route through South Carolina threatened legitimate military targets but actively avoided combat with the force opposing him--and which he should have been able to easily destroy. When in North Carolina he faced a worth opponent, Joe Johston, he avoided disaster only by having such superior numbers, that he could afford heavy losses and still sweep them aside.
Today there is no question that he would be considered a war criminal and prosecuted as such. Even more so as he was committing atrocities against his "own" people. Even at the time the only thing protecting him was his success and the general feeling at the end of the war to forget the past and get on with rebuilding the nation. No further proof is needed other than comparing the practices of every other Union Army with his. There was a long history of undisciplined rape and pillage assosciated with Sherman's men. These things were not tolerated by the Army of the Potomac or any of the other Northern armies.
Finally any evaluation of Sherman should show him to be a poor general. At Shiloh and later at Murfreesboro he allowed himself to be surprised by the enemy in spite of ample warning. Granted he did show considerable skill especially in the later in conducting a fighting retreat, but I consider that damning with faint praise. Later when opposing Johnston he was able to succeed only by using numerical superiority to pin Johnston and flank him. When he got lazy as at Kennesaw Mt. he got a slap in the face or rather his men did in droves. Only against an inferior talent such as Hood (who really had only 1 option that of headlong attacks) did he show real success.
-- posted by AnchoritSybarite
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