Sherman's Atlanta Campaign and March

As Union General Sherman marched to Atlanta from Chattanooga, they were planning. Lots and lots of planning. They had to take Atlanta for a blow to southern morale, and it would guarantee Lincoln's victory in the next election. As they reached Atlanta, Sherman sent a letter to the Mayor asking that all Atlanta residents leave the city, so they would not be injured or killed. The Union army began to sat fire to all military bases and shelters, but some men got carried away and burned down other innocent buildings such as: homes, churches, farms, supermarkets, etc. After the army had captured Atlanta, Sherman stayed there for two months as he waited for approval for his "march to the sea". After receiving approval, Sherman and his army set out towards Savannah, "living off the land", as in relying on farms and such for food and water. This added risk to the march, because if enough food and water was not available soldiers could perish. As they marched, they tore up and bent Confederate railroad lines, effectively cutting off the transfer of supplies from Atlanta. Freed slaves were even allowed to join the march, although Sherman did not like the black people. They went and captured Savannah without a fight, they torched Charleston, and wreaked havoc all through the southeast.