A Georgia State Trooper pulled over a car full of West Point cadets for speeding. After sternly informing them, “Nobody drives through my county that fast,” the cadet behind the wheel, with a smirk, replied, “Sherman did.”
The Brilliance of General Sherman: Mastering the Art of Total War
General William Tecumseh Sherman’s March to the Sea during the American Civil War remains one of the most iconic military campaigns in history. His strategy of “total war” was not merely an expression of brute force but an ingenious and unconventional approach to breaking the Confederate will to fight. By targeting both military assets and the South’s economic infrastructure, Sherman reshaped the nature of warfare, demonstrating that war is as much psychological as it is physical. His bold tactics not only hastened the end of the conflict but also redefined the rules of engagement for generations to come.
Sherman understood that victory would not be achieved solely by defeating Confederate armies on the battlefield. Instead, he realized the necessity of crippling the South’s ability to wage war by cutting off its supply lines, devastating its economy, and destroying its morale. By marching from Atlanta to Savannah, Sherman’s forces spread destruction through a 60-mile-wide path, dismantling railroads, seizing crops, and burning plantations. This method of total war disrupted the Confederate infrastructure, weakening their ability to sustain a prolonged fight and striking fear into the hearts of civilians and soldiers alike.
What set Sherman apart from other generals was his willingness to adopt unconventional methods. Rather than seeking the traditional pitched battles, Sherman targeted the South’s logistical backbone, realizing that without supplies, even the most formidable armies could not continue. His focus on destroying transportation hubs, warehouses, and agricultural resources was a calculated effort to accelerate the collapse of the Confederate war effort. While this caused immense destruction, it was a stroke of strategic genius, bringing the war to a swifter conclusion and, in the long run, saving lives.
Sherman’s psychological warfare was as important as his physical tactics. By marching his forces deep into Confederate territory without direct supply lines, he sent a powerful message: the Union army could go anywhere and do anything. The South’s sense of security was shattered as its citizens realized they could no longer rely on Confederate forces to protect them. This erosion of confidence in their leaders, coupled with the sheer devastation left in Sherman’s wake, contributed to the growing internal dissent within the Confederacy. Sherman’s march was not just about military victory—it was about breaking the will of the Southern people.
In retrospect, Sherman’s campaign stands as a brilliant example of strategic foresight and innovative military thinking. His willingness to embrace total war, to focus on the economic and psychological dimensions of conflict, changed the trajectory of the Civil War. While his methods were controversial, they were undeniably effective. Sherman’s March to the Sea remains a testament to the power of unconventional tactics and the far-reaching impact of a well-executed strategy, cementing his legacy as one of the most brilliant military minds in American history
If you enjoyed this article, then please REPOST or SHARE with others; encourage them to follow AFNN. If you’d like to become a citizen contributor for AFNN, contact us at managingeditor@afnn.us Help keep us ad-free by donating here.
Substack: American Free News Network Substack
Truth Social: @AFNN_USA
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/afnnusa
Telegram: https://t.me/joinchat/2_-GAzcXmIRjODNh
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfnnUsa
GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/AFNN_USA
CloutHub: @AFNN_USA
William Tecumseh Sherman is currently residing in the lower reaches of hell for the atrocities he committed on the Southern civilians in the War Between the States. The adored President Lincoln & General US Grant gave this vulture permission to savage an unprotected population of women and children. Of course he was successful in his blitzkreig across the South, he had no opposition.
By this same reasoning, Stalin, Mao, Hitler, were also brilliant strategists when they murdered millions. I think Sherman would have gloried in their tactics, for they were his own.
Back in the early 80s I read an excellent book on the European Campaign (the name escapes me) where the author made an excellent point. The American Army was forged in the 19th Century on two great experiences. The use of total war in the Civil War, relying on simplicity and brute force. And the Calvary in the Indian Wars, relying on mobility and light tactics. What started with North Africa and the early Pacific was perfected by the drive across Europe after D-Day.
Sherman was a son of a bitch. But war is an ugly business.