Orlando M. Poe: Civil War General and Great Lakes Engineer

8. “A Sort of Wild Goose Chase”: 1864—The March to the Sea

184 orlando m. poe Eight “a Sort of wild Goose chase” 1864—The March to the Sea By almost mutual consent, both sides paused to catch their collective breath following hood’s withdrawal from atlanta. with Union forces now occupying the city, new strategies and tactics were called for. Though pleased with taking atlanta, Sherman had no intention of occupying a major enemy city, which would present a host of logistical issues he had no desire to deal with. he clearly recalled with dismay how, following the Union victories at vicksburg, Memphis, and new Orleans, at least one division of fighting men had had to be reallocated to fill the need of garrisoning the towns. Sherman vowed that such a scenario would not occur again.1 One of the largest reasons against occupation would be the obligation of defending his men and supplies from potential attacks from within as well as outside the city. every citizen could be a possible saboteur. Of course, as an occupying force, Sherman would also face the responsibility of protecting and feeding the subdued citizenry. considering the tenuous nature of his railway lifeline back into tennessee, that task could prove daunting. “in Memphis, vicksburg, and Mississippi,” wrote Sherman, “we fed thousands upon thousands of the families of rebel soldiers left on our hands, and whom we could not see starve.” Though a major portion of the town’s wealthier populace had already fled, a significant number of those less well off remained, all of whom would have to be fed “at Uncle Sam’s crib.” This task would certainly weaken his army, not to mention Sherman’s having to listen to the public’s never-ending daily list of grievances. The mere thought of this latter chore gave him a headache.2 as the first week of September ended, Sherman came upon his solution. he would forcibly evacuate the town of all noncombatants, in essence turning at184 1864—the march to the sea 185 lanta into a fortified garrison. The lines of defense could then be shortened by Poe and the engineers, which obviously would work to the bluecoats’ advantage , plus all the unpleasant distractions of day-to-day engagement with the civilian population would be negated. at first glance, the thought of forcibly removing almost three thousand people from their homes and firesides only a few months prior to winter seems a harsh one, yet both Poe and Sherman later rationalized it as being a kindness; a war zone like atlanta was no place for the aged, women, or children. Sherman would certainly do what he could in the interim to ease their burden as well as his conscience. They could choose to go either north or south and take whatever they could reasonably carry in a light wagon. Sherman would also see to it that they were safely escorted under a flag of truce to a predetermined point where, if hood agreed, they would rendezvous with confederate forces who would then take over their relocation . On September 7, he made his written proposal to General hood, whose army had regrouped southwest of atlanta near lovejoy’s Station.3 hood was flabbergasted when he read of Sherman’s decision and subsequent “offer,” reluctantly accepting it only because he felt he had no other real alternative. nevertheless, in his written reply he vehemently protested Sherman ’s forced evictions, icily asserting that they “transcended in studied and ingenious cruelty, all acts ever before brought to my attention in the dark history “citizens of atlanta leaving the city in compliance with General Sherman’s orders.” (The Soldier in Our Civil War) To view this photo, please refer to the print edition of this book. 186 orlando m. poe of war.” Sherman was unmoved, and for the next week, while their respective armies rested, both generals continued the war with pens and snide insults substituting for muskets and bullets.4 The soldiers’ well-deserved “time of repose,” as Sherman phrased it, clearly did not extend to Poe. he was busier than ever with inspecting the confederate works and ensuring they were modified to suit his army’s new purpose. Overall, the rebel works were too extensive to be manned by a garrison the size of which Sherman planned. where needed, he was busy laying out new, shorter lines, the construction of which would cause even more of atlanta’s finest homes to be destroyed. all the...