Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman's March to the Sea was in itself not a battle--not exactly, anyways. It took place from November 15 through December 21, 1864. Major General William Tecumseh Sherman took his two-wing army 300 miles down to the Atlantic Ocean, killing and pillaging as they went, with the intention of completely destroying the South. It was very successful.
A More Specific Summary
President Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant were rather reluctant to send Sherman off on his march. But Lincoln overcame his reservations on November 2, and gave Sherman orders to do as he wished. So, thirteen days later, Sherman took his army and marched off towards the Atlantic.
The army was divided into two wings: Howard's and Slocum's. They went about traveling in such a way as to confuse the Confederacy as to where the destination would be (either Augusta, Macon, or Savannah--in the end it was Savannah). Howard took his troops along the railroad to Lovejoy's Station, so that the defenders had to retreat to Macon. 50 prisoners were captured at Bear Creek Station. Meanwhile, Slocum took his wing towards Augusta and destroyed the bridge across the Oconee River, and proceeded to turn south.
Confederate leader Hardee realized then that despite other appearances, Sherman's destintion was Savannah. He ordered the Confederate cavalry, led by Wheeler, to attack Sherman's flanks and rear.
On November 22, Wheeler's cavalry attaacked one of Slocum's wings in the Battle of Griswoldville. It was an ugly battle for the Confederates; Georgia continued to determinedly launch very uncoordinated attacks for several hours, and none of them were successful. Eventually the Confederate troops retreated with 1,100 casualties--about 1,000 more than the Union's.
On November 24, Wheeler and his infantry attacked Howards' rear at Ball's Bluff in a battle that lasted until November 25. November 25 through 26, Wheeler also attacked Slocum at Sandersville. One of Slocum's wings was intended to feint towards Augusta and attack the railroad bridge at Brier Creek, and had managed to slip past the defenses before Wheeler struck; the plans to destroy the railroad were abandoned after Wheeler's assault began.
Meanwhile, reinforcements from the Union were making their way towards Sherman from Hilton Head under Hatch. But on November 30, they were defeated by the Confederate General Smith, and their plans to help Sherman by taking the Charleston and Savannah railroad were thwarted.
On December 10, Sherman reached Savannah only to find that Hardee had rendered it impenetrable. So he went along the Ogeechee River to Fort McAllister, which he proceeded to secure within fifteen minutes. The river connected him to the Navy out at sea, and he was able to obtain the necessary artillery to take Savannah. Hardee then fled, leaving Sherman successful.
The army was divided into two wings: Howard's and Slocum's. They went about traveling in such a way as to confuse the Confederacy as to where the destination would be (either Augusta, Macon, or Savannah--in the end it was Savannah). Howard took his troops along the railroad to Lovejoy's Station, so that the defenders had to retreat to Macon. 50 prisoners were captured at Bear Creek Station. Meanwhile, Slocum took his wing towards Augusta and destroyed the bridge across the Oconee River, and proceeded to turn south.
Confederate leader Hardee realized then that despite other appearances, Sherman's destintion was Savannah. He ordered the Confederate cavalry, led by Wheeler, to attack Sherman's flanks and rear.
On November 22, Wheeler's cavalry attaacked one of Slocum's wings in the Battle of Griswoldville. It was an ugly battle for the Confederates; Georgia continued to determinedly launch very uncoordinated attacks for several hours, and none of them were successful. Eventually the Confederate troops retreated with 1,100 casualties--about 1,000 more than the Union's.
On November 24, Wheeler and his infantry attacked Howards' rear at Ball's Bluff in a battle that lasted until November 25. November 25 through 26, Wheeler also attacked Slocum at Sandersville. One of Slocum's wings was intended to feint towards Augusta and attack the railroad bridge at Brier Creek, and had managed to slip past the defenses before Wheeler struck; the plans to destroy the railroad were abandoned after Wheeler's assault began.
Meanwhile, reinforcements from the Union were making their way towards Sherman from Hilton Head under Hatch. But on November 30, they were defeated by the Confederate General Smith, and their plans to help Sherman by taking the Charleston and Savannah railroad were thwarted.
On December 10, Sherman reached Savannah only to find that Hardee had rendered it impenetrable. So he went along the Ogeechee River to Fort McAllister, which he proceeded to secure within fifteen minutes. The river connected him to the Navy out at sea, and he was able to obtain the necessary artillery to take Savannah. Hardee then fled, leaving Sherman successful.
"The young bloods of the South; sons of planters, lawyers about towns, good billiard players and sportsmen, men who never did any work
and never will. War suits them. They are splendid riders, first rate shots and utterly reckless. These men must all be killed or employed by us before we can hope for peace." -- Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman |