Sherman's March to the Sea

Sherman's March to the Sea Savannah Campaign
Part of the American Civil War
Union soldiers destroying telegraph poles and railroads, and freeing slaves, who are assisting Union soldiers in making their way to safety.
Date November 15 – December 21, 1864 Location Georgia Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States	Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
William T. Sherman	William J. Hardee Joseph Wheeler
Units involved
Army of the Tennessee[1] Army of Georgia[1]	Confederate militia
Strength
59,545–62,204[2]	12,466[3]

Sherman's March to the Sea is the name given to the military Savannah Campaign in the American Civil War. This was a march of troops through Georgia that lasted from November 15 to December 21, 1864. It was led by Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman of the Union Army.

The campaign began with Sherman's troops leaving the captured city of Atlanta, Georgia, on November 15. It ended with the capture of the port of Savannah on December 21. His army burned military targets along with stores, other businesses, and the homes of the people who lived in their path. This ruined the Confederacy's economy and its means of travelling.

Sherman's plan of action of fighting deep inside enemy territory without any extra supplies changed American war strategy.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Further information: Savannah Campaign Union order of battle (Official Records, Series I, Volume XLIV, pages 19-25)
2. ↑ Further information: Effective strength of the army in the field under Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, November and December, 1864 (Official Records, Series I, Volume XLIV, page 16)
3. ↑ Further information: Abstract from return of the Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, Lieut. Gen. W.J. Hardee commanding, November 20, 1864 (Official Records, Series I, Volume XLIV, page 874)