After his triumphant capture of Atlanta in the fall of 1864, Union General William T.
He repeatedly promised southerners that he would wage a hard war but.
Unhappy with the killing and maiming of Union and Confederate soldiers in combat blood baths, he decided on purposeful destruction, hoping to insure fewer casualties while helping bring the war to an end as quickly as possible.
Sherman mobilized 62,000 of his veteran troops and waged destructive war across Georgia, from Atlanta to Savannah.
After his triumphant capture of Atlanta in the fall of 1864, Union General William T