Sherman’s Purpose in Marching to the Sea
Of course Grant, no less than Sherman, must have perceived instantly the full significance of Sherman’s change of base to Savannah the moment that move was suggested. The question in what manner that concerted action between Grant and Sherman against Lee should be arranged could well be considered later, after that march had been made and a new base established at Savannah. The correspondence between Grant and Sherman previous to Hood’s march to the west, including the letters of September 12 and 20, simply shows that neither had at that time conceived the possibility of any movement of Sherman toward Virginia. All their thoughts had reference to continuing operations in the south, Sherman’s most important object being to get control of the Savannah River; or, as expressed, in his last words: “If you can whip Lee, and I can march to the Atlantic, I think Uncle Abe will give us a twenty days’ leave of absence to see the young folks.” Their joint action against Lee does not appear to have been suggested by either until Sherman’s letter of November 6, which was probably received by Grant after Sherman started.
The first thought suggested to Sherman by Hood’s movement “leaving open the road to Macon, as also to Augusta,” as embodied in his despatch to Halleck on September 25, related simply to the opportunity thus offered to carry into effect without difficulty the original plan of a change of base to Savannah. But when Hood’s movement had gone so far, and his designs were so fully disclosed, as practically to eliminate his army from the problem in the Atlantic States, Sherman determined to march as soon as possible, with the ulterior purpose to “reinforce our armies in Virginia.” He telegraphed his determination to Grant on November 1, and on November 6 wrote him very fully, giving his reasons, including that to reinforce Grant. Hence Sherman was well able to say at Savannah on December 24: “I feel no doubt whatever as to our future plans. I have thought them over so long and well that they appear clear as daylight.”
It should be observed that Sherman’s letter of November 6 to Grant was strictly confidential. “I have still some thoughts... that should be confided to you [that is, to Grant and to nobody else] as a key to future developments.” Neither Grant nor Sherman appears to have made any use of that “key” for the public benefit. But it now unlocks the store-house of Sherman’s mind, and shows to the world more of the real character of the great strategist than any other public document he ever wrote.
Then Grant was ready with his plan, first to seize and hold the Southern railroads by which supplies could reach Lee, and second, for Sherman and the most of his army to come to Virginia by sea, to which Sherman responded with all the loyalty of his most loyal nature, only mentioning incidentally his own plan. Thereupon, when Grant gave him an invitation to speak freely, he replied as above quoted, and explained in detail his plans for the northward march, to “be on the Roanoke, either at Raleigh or Weldon, by the time the spring fairly opens; and if you feel confident that you can whip Lee outside of his intrenchments, I feel equally confident that I can handle him in the open country.”
But Sherman’s “busy brain” had provided in advance even for the worst possible contingency—that after all his long march, however long it might prove to be, that march might have to “stand alone” —he might not actually take part in the capture of either of the Confederate armies. Hence, before starting on his march, in his letter of November 6 to Grant he explained that his march would be “statesmanship” anyway, even if it was not “war.” Sherman was not a man to be “left out,” no matter what might happen.