Atlanta William Tecumseh Sherman

map of sherman s campaigns in georgia , carolinas, 1864–1865

despite mixed record, sherman enjoyed grant s confidence , friendship. when lincoln called grant east in spring of 1864 take command of union armies, grant appointed sherman (by known soldiers uncle billy ) succeed him head of military division of mississippi, entailed command of union troops in western theater of war. grant took overall command of armies of united states, sherman wrote him outlining strategy bring war end concluding if can whip lee , can march atlantic think ol uncle abe give twenty days leave see young folks.

sherman proceeded invade state of georgia 3 armies: 60,000-strong army of cumberland under george henry thomas, 25,000-strong army of tennessee under james b. mcpherson, , 13,000-strong army of ohio under john m. schofield. fought lengthy campaign of maneuver through mountainous terrain against confederate general joseph e. johnston s army of tennessee, attempting direct assault @ disastrous battle of kennesaw mountain. in july, cautious johnston replaced more aggressive john bell hood, played sherman s strength challenging him direct battles on open ground. meanwhile, in august, sherman learned had been commissioned major-general in regular army, unexpected, , not desired until successful in capture of atlanta.

sherman s atlanta campaign concluded on september 2, 1864, capture of city, hood had been forced abandon. success made sherman household name , helped ensure lincoln s presidential re-election in november. in august, democratic party had nominated candidate george b. mcclellan, popular former union army commander, , had seemed lincoln lose mcclellan. lincoln s defeat have meant victory of confederacy, democratic party platform called peace negotiations based on acknowledgment of confederacy s independence. capture of atlanta, coming when did, may have been sherman s greatest contribution union cause.

after ordering civilians leave city in september, sherman gave instructions military , government buildings in atlanta burned, although many private homes , shops burned well. set precedent future behavior armies.