The Atlanta Campaign was a series of battle fought in northwest Georgia from May 7- September 2 1864. The Atlanta Campaign was fought because a win for the Union would make sure that Lincoln was voted back into office, and Atlanta was a major railway center. The Union was led by General William T. Sherman and was successful in the capturing of Atlanta. Soon after, Sherman marched with his remaining 62,000 troops through Georgia, commonly known as Sherman's March to the Sea.
 |
| Sherman and his staff stand in the trenches in Atlanta. |
Sherman's March to the Sea began on November 15, and carried on through December 21, 1864. On December 21, 1864, Sherman and his men captured the port of Savannah and presented it to President Lincoln as a "Christmas present". The march through Georgia was a very risky move due to the fact the the troops would be cut off from all Northern communication and connections. Sherman gave very strict orders to his men that stated to "live off the land" by eating the settlers' livestock and grains. As well as stealing the people's food and stock, the Union soldiers also set fire to any house or store they wanted to, and tore apart any railroads still intact.
 |
| Map of the route Sherman took on his way to Savannah |
No comments:
Post a Comment