An outstanding book covering General Sherman’s famous march to the sea during the last stages of the American Civil War. Written primarily through the eyes of his unique, hand-picked soldiers, and contrasted with the vastly different nature of the soldiers serving with the regular Army of the Potomac. A must-read for Southerners who want to better understand the history and reasoning surrounding this particular campaign. ( )

Reviewed April 2007

Glatthaar breaks down Sherman’s campaign into readable sections beginning with a discussion of the army and how it interacted with blacks, and southern whites. The author gives a full chapter to a discussion of how the army felt about the Union cause. Then Glatthaar discusses the nuts and bolts of army life. What it was like at camp or marching. How the army survived by foraging and how and why the army destroyed and pillaged. And finally a chapter on the army in battle. Sherman’s army was made up mainly of hand chosen veteran volunteers. These men were selected for their independence strength and experience. They were proud to be part of this army. As the army marched through the south they took whatever was needed and made southerners understand that the Confederacy could not protect them. In South Carolina mostly they burned everything they could, bringing the war home to them. They hoped to make the South understand the pain of war, and never wish for it again.

8-2007 ( )