History That Doesn't Suck 68: Sherman's March to the Sea and the Thirteenth Amendment
Jul 6, 2020
The podcast dives into Sherman's controversial March to the Sea, a strategic move that showcased the harsh realities of war and sparked debates on his legacy as a hero or villain. It also highlights President Lincoln's relentless push for the Thirteenth Amendment, aimed at abolishing slavery after decades of inaction. As battles raged on, intense discussions emerged surrounding civil rights and the creation of the Freedmen's Bureau, signaling a crucial shift in America's social landscape.
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A Cold Comparison
- Jefferson Davis compared Sherman's potential retreat to Napoleon's from Moscow.
- Grant retorted, "Who is to furnish the snow for this Moscow retreat?"
Sherman's Philosophy of War
- Sherman believed war ends only when the enemy's will is broken.
- He aimed to make war "so terrible" as to prevent future conflict.
Atlanta Burns, March Begins
- Sherman's troops burned Atlanta before marching, an act he deemed a necessary cruelty of war.
- The march saw minimal Confederate resistance, with only one significant fight at Grisville.