- In order to help Abraham Lincoln win the re-election in 1864 the Union needed a victory.
- The campaign of general William Tecumseh Sherman provided the key victory.
- Sherman Carried out the Unions plan to destroy Southern railroads/industries.
- Spring of 1864 Sherman marched south from Tennessee with about 100,000 troops.
- Sherman's goal was to take Atlanta Georgia.
- From May through August Sherman's army moved through the Appalachian Mountains.
- Sherman Avoided about several defenses set up by General Joseph Johnston.
- Sherman was in sight of Atlanta by July.
- Confederate Troops retreated as Sherman held Atlanta under siege.
- Atlanta fell to Sherman's troops on September 2, 1864
- The victory in Atlanta showed they were making progress in defeating the south and this success helped convince Union voters re-elect Abraham Lincoln.
- Sherman left Atlanta with a force of about 60,000 men so he could take over Savannah Georgia in mid November 1864.
- TOTAL WAR- destroying civilian economic resources.
- Sherman ordered his troops to destroy railways, bridges, crops, livestock, and other resources.
- Sherman also burned plantations and freed slaves.
- Sherman's troops reached Savannah on December 10, 1864.