Bummers Union General War Hero William Sherman Leadership Strategy Lincoln Civil Battle Vicksburg Atlanta ShilohThis month is the 150th anniversary of Sherman’s infamous March across Georgia to Sea. After years war Tecumseh had opportunity strike through heart Confederacy. His goal was undermine Confederate war effort by breaking civilians’ will fight. As he wrote after march Henry Halleck Union’s Chief Staff: We are not only fighting armies but a hostile people and must make old young rich poor feel hard hand as well their organized armies. I know that this recent movement mine has wonderful effect in respect. Thousands who been deceived lying papers into belief we were being whipped all time realized truth have no appetite for repetition same experience.1 Today many especially south remember cruel man burnt homes crops Georgians forcing them poverty starvation. Debates continue rage today whether should be considered criminal or simply general knew now end war. In article consider legend grown up around march how can separate myth from fact. men twisting railroad ties How Bad Was it? First what did troops actually do? bad Before began issued Special Orders No. 120. it gave strict instructions his conduct themselves on march. They allowed “forage liberally” countryside given nearly free reign take destroy food horses livestock. However they enter burn any buildings without express orders corps commanders.2 These often violated with impunity Federal generals little if anything stop it. The problems began even before army left Atlanta. ordered military targets such depot destroyed. But disregarded regarded these orders about half town burnt. “Can’t save it” commented staff officer “Set many guards you please the men slip set fire.”3 troops called routinely along houses way. everything path scorched earth policy believe today. 1930s survey found most standing wake Yankee march.4 Foragers plundering southern farm This does mean there suffering civilians involved. determined people cost “make howl” successful. One woman’s experience typical: Happening turn look behind stood there saw some blue-coats coming down hill. … hastened back my frightened servants told better hide then went gate claim protection guard. like demons rush in! My yards full. To smoke-house dairy pantry kitchen cellar famished wolves come locks whatever thousand pounds meat smoke-house gone twinkling flour meat lard butter eggs pickles various kinds – both vinegar brine wine jars jugs gone. eighteen fat turkeys hens chickens fowls young pigs shot yard hunted rebels themselves. Utterly powerless ran out appealed ‘I cannot help you Madam orders.’ night drew its sable curtains us heavens every point lit flames burning buildings. Heavenly Father alone saved me destructive fire.5 Sherman's “Bummers”in South Carolina Unusual? unusual Georgia versus other era marching past? No civilian would wanted an property sympathized side. He could still expect animals go missing fences turned used firewood. Some commanders Robert E. Lee tried this. When invading Pennsylvania reminded made “war upon armed men” exhorted “abstain most scrupulous care unnecessary wanton injury private property.”6 Other armies harsher tactics also used. Chambersburg burned Confederates townspeople failed pay $500000 ransom. What distinguished intentionality destruction. actual far ordinary correspondence made intentions clear. Although wrought similar destruction different. launched campaign sole purpose making turning against Where constrained depredations men encouraged them. Criminal? argue criminal. was course never prosecuted crimes victors rarely are. 1863 signed called Lieber Code laws United States field. order required property respected necessity seized owners receipts so indemnified.7 may technically gray area. said intended bring “the sad realities home those instrumental involving us attendant calamities.”8 clearly violation spirit Code intention which preserve whenever possible If thing 1977 Geneva Conventions ratified prohibits targeting livestock water.9 Francis Lieber author Wars? It easy condemn actions important fit future US Military. Sea one first instances modern warfare where enemy valid legal target. child’s play compared State’s during World II countryside freely bombed. attacks Germany Japan not Sherman’s supplies infrastructure country. attacks culminating atomic bombings kill noncombatants possible. ridiculous think comparing few hardship while recovering bombing Dresden Tokyo Hiroshima Nagasaki hundreds thousands women children killed. Rejecting requires rethinking wars 20th century.From November 15 until December 21 1864 T. led 60000 soldiers 285-mile Savannah Georgia. frighten Georgia’s population abandoning cause. towns path stole food barns fight back. Yankees “not people” explained result needed war.” Fall captured September 2 1864. triumph because hub industrial center Confederacy: munitions factories foundries warehouses kept supplied weapons goods. between Army two prized targets: Gulf Mexico west Charleston East. symbol pride strength fall loyal Southerners doubt win (“Since Atlanta” Carolinian Mary Boykin Chestnut her diary “I felt if…we going wiped off earth.”) Did know? theyears afterthe War forces world use “total war” strategy. lost Atlanta headed Tennessee Alabama attacking supply lines went. reluctant wild goose chase South however split groups. Major George Thomas took meet Nashville remaining 62000 offensive “smashing things” (he wrote) “ sea.” Scroll Continue Recommended fb-ulysses-grant-2 10 Things You May Not Know About Ulysses S. Grant united states 1854 slave kansas-nebraska act battle over slavery black history Kansas-Nebraska Act hitler-is-victory Hitler’s Teeth Reveal Nazi Dictator’s Cause Death “Make Howl” believed Confederacy derived strength material moral support sympathetic Southern whites. Factories farms railroads provided things needed reasoned things collapse. Meanwhile morale life unpleasant demand end marched south toward Savannah wings 30 miles apart. On 22 3500 cavalry started skirmish at Griswoldville ended badly–650 killed wounded 62 casualties–that initiated more battles. Instead fled ahead wreaking own havoc went: wrecked bridges chopped trees filled provisions reach just unsparing. raided plantations stealing slaughtering cows sheep hogs taking much food–especially bread potatoes–as carry. (These groups foraging nicknamed “bummers” carry.) marauding supplies teach Georgians lesson: “it isn’t sweet secede” soldier letter home “as they thought be.” arrived three weeks city undefended when got there. (The 10000 supposed guarding already fled.) presented 25000 bales cotton President Christmas gift.Early 1865 pillaged way Charleston. April surrendered over. Total brutal destructive do: hurt morale impossible full capacity likely “This Government sustained cost” explained subordinates. “To sustain it rebel forces–must cut communications…and produce among thorough conviction personal misery attends utter helplessness inability ‘rulers’ protect them…If terror grief want shall paralyze husbands fathers us…it mercy end.”The Sea (1861-65) 15 concluded abandoned line Atlantic Ocean prove government invaders. practiced psychological warfare state demonstrate power resist. war” said “but rather statesmanship.” Courtesy National Archives Records Administration. Preparation spent several preparations change base coast. rejected plan move Alabama Mobile pointing Rear Admiral David G. Farragut closed Mobile Bay August port longer held significance. Rather decided proceed southeast carefully studied census records determine route provide forage animals. U.S. president Abraham skeptical territory presidential election November persuaded friend Lieutenant possible winter. Through Grant’s intervention finally gained permission although delay day. Commanders Response John Bell Hood moved outside recuperate previous campaign. early October raid Chattanooga Tennessee draw ground sides fought since May. instead tempting battle forces. Apparently hoped invaded forced follow. Sherman anticipated strategy sent H. Nashville deal Hood. With cleared army facing scattered cavalry south. divided approximately roughly equal wings. right wing under Oliver O. Howard. Peter J. Osterhaus commanded Fifteenth Corps P. Blair Jr. Seventeenth Corps. W. Slocum Fourteenth Corps Jefferson C. Davis Twentieth Alpheus Williams. Judson Kilpatrick cavalry. 2500 wagons 600 ambulances. outlining rules ignored restrictions foraging. wings advanced routes generally staying twenty forty Macon direction Augusta commands bypassed cities. capital Milledgeville. Opposing advance 8000 strong Joseph Wheeler units militia Gustavus Smith. Hardee overall command headquarters neither nor Governor Brown do anything advance. foragers quickly became known “bummers” plantations. 23 peacefully surrendered occupied vacant governor’s mansion capitol building. Military Encounters There number skirmishes Wheeler’s troopers battles came east Macon factory Griswoldville faced infantry disastrous results. suffered 650 wounded one-sided casualties second occurred Ogeechee River twelve below Savannah. B. Hazen assaulted Fort McAllister 13 thus opening door city. controversial event involved contrabands (self-emancipated individuals) followed liberating At Ebenezer Creek 9 removed pontoon bridge enslaved cross. Frightened women plunged deep water drowned attempt safety. soundly criticized Northern press backed commander done militarily necessary. Panorama Photograph Wikimedia fell siege lieutenant Hardee realizing small hold long wanting leveled artillery happened abandon trenches retreat Carolina. Mayor Richard Arnold Hilton Head Carolina Georgia) telegraphed 22 fallen. offered present. Headquarters From Great King Consequences appalled Southerners. front. terrorized countryside destroyed sources behind hungry demoralized people. level towns places resistance. shown little sympathy Millen site Camp Lawton prisoners held. Physical white few fared hands Often posted cabins female friends relatives. Battles Leaders vol 4. edited R. U. Johnson Clough Buel urged undertake scorched-earth poisoning wells fields army’s so. stores winter months. result hardships children desertions increased Lee’s Virginia. shorten fight eventually received permission carry warfare 1865. By archvillain hero North. Shiloh Chattanooga Bentonville Kennesaw Mountain Jonesborough Missionary Ridge Honey Hill Dallas Meridian Buck Head New Hope Church Waynesboro Rocky Face Resaca Pickett's Mill Utoy Adairsville Capture Columbia Marietta Monroe's Crossroads Ezra Lovejoy's Station Noonday Chickasaw Bayou Steele's expedition Snyder's BluffWilliam playing crucial role victory becoming famous leaders history. logistical brilliance fiery display north Carolinas helped bloody devastation remains controversial loathed Early Years middle name father prominent lawyer judge admired Shawnee chief Tecumseh born February 8 1820 Lancaster Ohio. death father 9 mother poor widow 11 children. Most fostered live families. “Cump” raised Ewing family Ohio senator Cabinet member. later married foster sister Ellen couple eight successful member family. An elder brother federal judge younger elected Senate served secretary treasury state. Several Ewing siblings rose prominence. West Point Career 16 secured him position Academy Point. met befriended alongside War. graduated 1840 ranked sixth class. excelled academic side training dismissive Point’s demerits trait throughout career. stationed Second Seminole Florida. introduction lasting favorable impression. Unlike classmates see action Mexican-American California verge California Gold Rush. administrative rising rank captain. combat experience advancement unlikely. resigned commission 1853 remained growing banker overwhelmed frenetic pace San Francisco teeming influx speculators. bank 1857 briefly Kansas law. returned 1859 accepted superintendent Louisiana State Seminary Learning (now University). popular headmaster very fond ardent opponent vehemently idea secession issue. repeatedly warned dangers prosperous industrialized North avail. seceded January 1861. For months worked St. Louis streetcar company. America attacked Sumter worried committing enough swift end. overcame doubts U.S Army. First Bull Run colonel new 13th Infantry Regiment. unit fully activated brigade July surprising defeat praised actions promoted brigadier volunteers. fears escalated transferred Kentucky Cumberland. succeeded Anderson grave doubts lack abilities. 200000 widely ridiculed insane permanently soured media. 1861 relieved duties Ohio depression nervous breakdown. service later again assigned Western Theater. supported Donelson Kentucky develop close bond. Now serving April 1862. Caught unprepared assault dismissed intelligence reports size placement troops) rallied prevented rout allowing secure following major heavily losses resigning convinced stay. continued serve West capture vital stronghold Siege Vicksburg Mississippi. Despite misgivings unorthodox siege earned criticism (this time drinking) key support. Fredi Washington Fair-Skinned Black Actress Who Refused 'Pass' Hollywood ca. 1845-1855 — Adams Elder Image © Corcoran Gallery Art/CORBIS Stonewall Jackson battle-of-gettysburg1 Gettysburg fell 4 1863 control Mississippi River recognized value men: put charge additional regular army. head performance prevailed. assumed East Takes industry. four squared Generals Johnston city September. destroyed debated worst damage retreating troops. devastating (while winning militarily) reelection term. brought heel complete destruction ability wage earlier fondness region earning hatred (some today). himself impact fighting necessity famously saying “War cruelty. trying reform crueler is sooner over.”