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He ordered the burning of all buildings of military potential. But it went beyond that, and Sherman began to see the point of destroying civilian morale.
Union General William T. Sherman was unfairly criticized when he captured Atlanta, Georgia. This was because he ordered the immediate evacuation of all civilians form the city. Sherman's response was in line with the humane side of himself. As he was sure that Confederate General John B. Hood would attack Sherman's forces in Atlanta, he responded that it would be better to not fight a battle in Atlanta and endanger the citizens there. This was a proper decision that he made at the time.
He burned Atlanta after failing to destroy the Army of Tennessee, which had escaped the city. He then decided to ignore that army, and launch an entirely different kind of operation, targeting the infrastructure that supported the Confederate armies. That was the march to the sea.
No... Confederate troops were ordered to do slash and burn campaign through GA so the AtTlantians could.... Well.... Leave no evidence of the spires and domes of Atlanta burning in the distance... As they looked from the Mountain, saw the city, and went peaceably to South Carolina, where Sherman had once lived and knew the people there well.
Georgia
General Tecumseh Sherman of the Union Army advanced from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Atlanta, Georgia. After victory in Atlanta, Sherman ordered the city's evacuation and burning in November 1864.
Ordered all buildings of military value to be burned down. But most of the city was in ruins by the time he left.
Ordered the local population out and burned down all buildings of military importance.
Atlanta - though curiously it was not a key battle strategically (only politically). Grant had not ordered Sherman to capture it, or any other town. He had told Sherman to destroy the Army of Tennessee. The Battle of Atlanta was evidence that Sherman had failed to do this.
William T. Sherman. It was only meant to be buldings of military importance. But unfortunately his men were careless with matches.
Sherman's occupation of Atlanta. Ironically this represented the failure of his mission to destroy the Army of Tennessee, as ordered by Grant. But it sounded important and made big news when Northern civilian morale was suffering. Also at this time - the liberation of the port of Mobile, and the defeat of Jubal Early in the Shenandoah.
He ordered the burning of all buildings of military potential. But it went beyond that, and Sherman began to see the point of destroying civilian morale.
Union General William T. Sherman was unfairly criticized when he captured Atlanta, Georgia. This was because he ordered the immediate evacuation of all civilians form the city. Sherman's response was in line with the humane side of himself. As he was sure that Confederate General John B. Hood would attack Sherman's forces in Atlanta, he responded that it would be better to not fight a battle in Atlanta and endanger the citizens there. This was a proper decision that he made at the time.
Sherman
During the Civil War, General Sherman ordered Atlanta to be burned down. He made the official order in November of 1864. Sherman was responsible for the March to the Sea that burned much of Georgia.
He burned Atlanta after failing to destroy the Army of Tennessee, which had escaped the city. He then decided to ignore that army, and launch an entirely different kind of operation, targeting the infrastructure that supported the Confederate armies. That was the march to the sea.
Because he had failed to destroy the Army Of Tennessee, as ordered. But he had managed to destroy civilian morale when he occupied Atlanta, and decided to continue with this policy.