William Tecumseh Sherman initiated his March to the Sea, a significant military campaign during the American Civil War. This movement began after the capture of Atlanta, Georgia, which was a crucial transportation and supply hub for the Confederacy. Sherman believed that destroying the South's economic resources would hasten the end of the war. He strategized to move swiftly through Georgia, leading his troops to live off the land while causing widespread destruction to railroads, factories, and plantations along the way. Sherman’s army was well-versed in the principles of total war, allowing them to demoralize the Confederate forces by demonstrating the Union’s capability to wage war on civilian populations.

As Sherman's forces progressed, they faced minimal organized resistance from Confederate troops, allowing them to advance rapidly. By the time they reached Savannah, the Union army had cut a swath of devastation approximately 60 miles wide. The impact of this destruction was profound; Sherman's tactics aimed not only to achieve military victory but also to break the spirit of the Southern populace. The march concluded with the capture of Savannah in December 1864, which further solidified Union control over the region and disrupted Southern logistics.

Sherman's March to the Sea remains a controversial aspect of the Civil War. While it severely damaged Confederate resources and morale, it also raised ethical questions about the treatment of civilians and the conduct of war. Sherman's strategy was later adopted in various forms in future conflicts, illustrating the complexities of warfare in modern times.