Question

An examination would reveal which of the following as a consequence of Sherman’s March to the Sea?
A. In Milledgeville, Sherman’s troops held a fake legislative session where the Union troops voted to repeal Georgia’s secession order.
B. Sherman wanted to hide his final destination from the Confederacy. To do this, he divided his army into two groups. One headed toward Augusta, the other toward Macon.
C. Its devastation denied the Confederacy access to a former major industrial and agricultural region. This affected the Confederacy’s ability to keep its military running, which led to its surrender.
D. Most Union troops obeyed Sherman’s orders. Some did not, however. “Bummers” were Union troops who scared and stole from ordinary Confederate citizens against orders.

Answer 1

Correct answers: C and D.

- C is true: Sherman's march devastated a key agricultural and industrial region in Georgia, crippling Confederate supply lines and contributing to the collapse of Southern war capacity.
- D is true: While most troops followed orders, many foragers/looters (called "bummers") pillaged and frightened civilians despite official policy.

A is false (there was no legitimate legislative repeal staged by Union troops in Milledgeville). B is misleading: Sherman did use feints and moved in separate wings, but he did not split his forces simply into two columns one headed to Augusta and one to Macon as a primary consequence; his main objective was Savannah and the campaign’s destruction of Confederate resources was the key result.