Abraham Lincoln: A Biography

20. To Bind Up the Nation's Wounds

CHAPTER XX ....~ To Bind Up the Nation's Wounds DEE P in the interior of the Confederacy, Sherman found it difficult to feed his army as the bold cavalry chieftains Forrest and Wheeler harassed his supply lines. Hood himself turned west and north to draw Sherman out of Atlanta, but the lean, grizzled Ohioan, refusing to relax his grip, sent Thomas to hold Tennessee. It was useless to pursue Hood, Sherman instructed the stolid Thomas, for he could "twist and turn like a fox and wear out any army in pursuit." Sherman asked Grant to allow him to destroy the railroad from Chattanooga, which the Confederates raided constantly, and bring his troops to the sea. To march a well-appointed army through the heart of the enemy's country would demonstrate the invincibility of Union arms and bring the South to terms. Sherman could accomplish this march, he pleaded, "and make Georgia howl!" He would devastate the country. Personally warmhearted and friendly toward the Southern people, Sherman proposed to teach them the awfulness of war. Grant questioned Thomas's ability to cope with Hood. He doubted that Sherman could sustain so large an army on a long march through hostile country with an enemy in his rear. Lincoln, too, had grave misgivings, and Stanton informed Grant: "The President feels much solicitude in respect to General Sherman's proposed movement and hopes that it will be maturely considered. .4-88 ABRAHAM LINCOLN The objections stated in your telegram of last night impressed him with much force, and a misstep by General Sherman might be fatal to his army." Already, however, Grant had been convinced. "I say then, go on, as you propose," he wired to Sherman. Grant assured Lincoln that an army such as Sherman's, with a commander of his resourcefulness, would be difficult to corner or capture. Lincoln accepted the decision of his military chiefs. Within three hours of the arrival of Grant's telegram Stanton wired Sherman the President's approval of his plan. "Whatever the result," he promised, "you have the confidence and support of the Government." Halleck wired that a fleet would meet Sherman at Savannah with supplies. Sherman issued orders for the destruction of all military installations at Atlanta. All public buildings, arsenals, depots, and machine shops must be burned. Nothing useful to the enemy should be left behind. The sick and wounded were sent to Chattanooga and Nashville, along with every pound of baggage not absolutely needed. The railroad and the telegraph were severed. Promptly at seven o'clock on the morning of November 16, Sherman's hard, healthy, hearty army of 62,000 men, mostly Midwesterners, swung off on the march, banners flying and troops chorusing John Brown's Body to the rhythm of blaring bands. Smoke from the ruins of Atlanta trailed skyward in their rear. Gun barrels gleamed in the sun. White-topped wagons stretched for miles along the red clay roads. The army moved in three columns with skirmishers in advance. Cavalry patrolled its flanks. Fighting cocks rode proudly on artillery caissons, for many regiments had their feathered champions. The pace was fifteen miles a day. Winter nipped the air at night. The days were clear and cool. Each morning foragers left early to work ahead of the columns. Few plantations or farms escaped their vigilance. Usually they would find a wagon or a fashionable family carriage. which by evening, when the regiments caught up, would sag under a burden of bacon, cornmeal, pigs, turkeys, and ducks. Mules, horses, To Bind Up the Nation's Wounds 489 sheep, and cattle were rounded up in droves. The troops feasted on the plenty of the land. Sherman authorized this foraging, while forbidding pillage and robbery. But there were rough men in his army and men with revenge in their hearts. Feather beds were ripped open in search of family treasures. Wardrobes and chests were ransacked. Preserves , quilts, heirlooms, and other furnishings were carted off. As the army swung into one little Georgia town, a forager greeted his comrades in an ancient militia uniform found in some family attic. Enormous epaulets adorned his shoulders. Mounted on a rawboned horse, with a piece of carpet for a saddle, he rode with gracious dignity, his plumed hat raised in salute. Behind him came a carriage laden with yams and hams, drawn by two horses, a mule, and a cow, the two latter ridden...