Sherman's March to the Sea: A March in Brilliance

Abstract

In November 1864, Union General William Sherman launched his "March to the Sea" campaign in order to destroy the Confederate forces. Even though his plan was considered to be risky by others during his time, the march would come to symbolize an evolution in the history of warfare as Sherman willingly broke numerous entrenched 'military principles' and ushered in 'hard war' tactics, which preceded the 'total war' tactics of the twentieth century. Sherman's March was a key campaign in the development of modern warfare.