This is The Savannah Campaign's Trail.
In this photograph of Sherman's map it shows his trail to the sea. Although commonly known as this, the official name of this event was called 'The Savannah Campaign'. Maj. Gen. Grant and Maj. Gen. Sherman worked together to plan how Grant would defeat Robert E. Lee and the Confederate army. Grant and Sherman believed the war would end if the Confederacy's strategic, economic and phsycological capacity for warfare were broken. Sherman applied the principle of 'Scorched Earth', he ordered troops to burn crops, kill livestock, consume supplies and destroy civilian infrastructure so the city would be unable to rebuild itself. The second reason was to put more pressure on Lee's rear while Grant and Lee were at stalemate, it kept southern forces away from Virginia so they were unable to help Lee. The campaign was meant to relate to Grant's Vicksburg campaign, in that Sherman would reduce need to "live off the land".
The Savannah campaign began November 15, 1864 leaving the captured city of Atlanta, Georgia and ended at port of Savannah December 22, 1864. A two month campaign. As you can see in the map above Sherman split his army in two. The right wing was called "The army of Tennessee" commanded by General Oliver O. Howard, the left wing was called "Army of Georgia" that was commanded by General Henry W. Slocum. The journey had them march 300 miles. Sherman's personal escort during the march was "The First Alabama Calvary Regiment" made of all southerners loyal to the Union. After detaching the army in two Sherman had 62,000 men. As they went they would destroy railroads as well, they would superheat them and then wrap them around trees, they were known as Sherman's neckties.
As they went slaves would leave their plantations and join up with Sherman's army, by the end 10,000 slaves had joined the march. Sherman had estimated that he had done $100,000,000 dollars worth of damage to the south after the campaign. During the event the army seized 5,000 horses, 4,000 mules and 13,000 head of cattle. They also confiscated 9.5 million pounds of corn and 10.5 million pounds of fodder. Sherman's march reached Savannah Dec. 10 but found 10,000 Confederacy troops stationed. On Dec. 13 part of the right wing stormed the fort known as "The battle of Fort Mcallister". They captured the fort within 15 minutes. Sherman offered to spare the city if they surrendered. Instead Hardee and the rest of the Confederates escaped on December 20 across the river. The next day R.D Arnold formally surrendered to Sherman.
Here is Major General William Tecumseh Sherman's order for his March to the sea:
"... IV. The army will forage liberally on the country during the march. To this end, each brigade commander will organize a good and sufficient foraging party, under the command of one or more discreet officers, who will gather, near the route traveled, corn or forage of any kind, meat of any kind, vegetables, corn-meal, or whatever is needed by the command, aiming at all times to keep in the wagons at least ten day's provisions for the command and three days' forage. Soldiers must not enter the dwellings of the inhabitants, or commit any trespass, but during a halt or a camp they may be permitted to gather turnips, potatoes, and other vegetables, and to drive in stock of their camp. To regular foraging parties must be instructed the gathering of provisions and forage at any distance from the road traveled.
V. To army corps commanders alone is entrusted the power to destroy mills, houses, cotton-gins, &c., and for them this general principle is laid down: In districts and neighborhoods where the army is unmolested no destruction of such property should be permitted; but should guerrillas or bushwhackers molest our march, or should the inhabitants burn bridges, obstruct roads, or otherwise manifest local hostility, then army commanders should order and enforce a devastation more or less relentless according to the measure of such hostility.
VI. As for horses, mules, wagons, &c., belonging to the inhabitants, the cavalry and artillery may appropriate freely and without limit, discriminating, however, between the rich, who are usually hostile, and the poor or industrious, usually neutral or friendly. Foraging parties may also take mules or horses to replace the jaded animals of their trains, or to serve as pack-mules for the regiments or brigades. In all foraging, of whatever kind, the parties engaged will refrain from abusive or threatening language, and may, where the officer in command thinks proper, give written certificates of the facts, but no receipts, and they will endeavor to leave with each family a reasonable portion for their maintenance.
VII. Negroes who are able-bodied and can be of service to the several columns may be taken along, but each army commander will bear in mind that the question of supplies is a very important one and that his first duty is to see to them who bear arms. ...
– William T. Sherman, Military Division of the Mississippi Special Field Order 120, November 9, 1864."
V. To army corps commanders alone is entrusted the power to destroy mills, houses, cotton-gins, &c., and for them this general principle is laid down: In districts and neighborhoods where the army is unmolested no destruction of such property should be permitted; but should guerrillas or bushwhackers molest our march, or should the inhabitants burn bridges, obstruct roads, or otherwise manifest local hostility, then army commanders should order and enforce a devastation more or less relentless according to the measure of such hostility.
VI. As for horses, mules, wagons, &c., belonging to the inhabitants, the cavalry and artillery may appropriate freely and without limit, discriminating, however, between the rich, who are usually hostile, and the poor or industrious, usually neutral or friendly. Foraging parties may also take mules or horses to replace the jaded animals of their trains, or to serve as pack-mules for the regiments or brigades. In all foraging, of whatever kind, the parties engaged will refrain from abusive or threatening language, and may, where the officer in command thinks proper, give written certificates of the facts, but no receipts, and they will endeavor to leave with each family a reasonable portion for their maintenance.
VII. Negroes who are able-bodied and can be of service to the several columns may be taken along, but each army commander will bear in mind that the question of supplies is a very important one and that his first duty is to see to them who bear arms. ...
– William T. Sherman, Military Division of the Mississippi Special Field Order 120, November 9, 1864."
By Nathan Edwards and Levi Dorr (Deborah's Design team)
No comments:
Post a Comment