Lincoln wanted to break the souths ability to wage war not only to stop the insurrection. When Sherman took Atlanta and Savannah he broke their ability to wage war by effectively destroying Georgia's economy. We did the same thing in europe and asia in WWII. We tried to limit the ability of Nazi Germany and Hiroheto Japan to wage war. But I can not disagree as to the hatred Sherman had for the people of South Carolina. As he marched to SC and Columbia in early 1865 the devastation was great, but in view of the destruction of property, the loss of life both to the Confederate and Federal armies, and the population at large was relatively light. According to his report surgeon DL Huntington puts the casualty rate at just under 1000. I believe as probably most historians of the Civil War that South Carolina and its people had the most bitter hatred for the US and it government and people than any other state in the Confederacy. Shermans march was indeed devastating and painful for most of the people in the 100 mile stretch that his troops covered. The ability for South Carolina to wage war and supply the war machine of Gen. Lee, Gen Johnson and others was defiantly stopped as many have given evidence to in letters and dairies of the conferate troops all over the south. Now you can argue that supplies were not in abundance before the loss of Atlanta, Savannah, Beaufort, and Columbia but with the mills, crops, warehouses, ammo dumps, and other necessities were sacked and destroyed they felt the loss. In retrospect we can all look at the hardships our ancestors suffered and felt during this time but the outcome will not change and the destruction can still be remembered. You can still visit the burnt district in Atlanta. The Bulwarks around Columbia. And the other sites and history of the march. Thanks Dan