Sherman’s March to the Sea was destructive, but civilian casualties were nearly non-existent. By all accounts the burning of Atlanta was accidental. The march was so shocking for the South because Sherman was destroying civilian property behind their own battle lines with impunity. Bringing the war right to the doorstep of slavers who were used to safety with people fighting on their behalf. They were freeing slaves and there wasn’t anything the Confederate military could do to stop it.
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