Question

What orders did Union General William Tecumseh Sherman give his troops on their "March to the Sea"?


destroy all government buildings, but leave railroad lines open

take civilian prisoners, but destroy no private property

carry ample supplies and destroy only military installations

get supplies by looting, then destroy anything else of value

Answer 1

Union General William Tecumseh Sherman ordered his troops during the "March to the Sea" to "get supplies by looting, then destroy anything else of value." This strategy was part of Sherman's broader approach of total war, aimed at undermining the Confederate war effort by targeting not only military resources but also the infrastructure and moral support of the civilian population.