In a message dated 08/31/2003 9:14:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time, aprildan@geyer.com writes: > And that result was the end of the war. By all > definitions the War ended when Sherman burned Atlantia(which he didn't > really do) Ok Dan, I am trying to understand your post, if the war ended, ("by all definitions"), when Sherman burned Atlanta, ("which he didn't really do"), why was Sherman so adamant about marching on to South Carolina to destory Columbia? Selena William Tecumseh Sherman If the question was asked, "Who was and still is the most hated and despised man in the history of Georgia" the response would be William Tecumseh Sherman. From the onset of hostilities in the Atlanta Campaign on May 6, 1864 and the March to the Sea ending two days before Christmas 1864 with him capturing Savannah, no one created more destruction. Prior to leaving Atlanta, he set fire to munitions factories, railroad yards, clothing mills, and other targets that could be resourceful to the Confederacy. Sherman never intended to burn the whole city, but the fire got out of hand and spread throughout the city. Wayne C. Bengston <<<<<So I guess we can say he did burn Atlanta, wheither he meant to or not.>> > S. Sherman’s March: Final Revenge By Frank Knapp, Jr. Sherman wrote; arguing for his plan. December 16 –“Indeed, with my present command I had expected, after reducing Savannah, instantly to march to Columbia, South Carolina, thence to Raleigh, and thence to report to you.”8 December 18 –“With Savannah in our possession, at some future time, if not now, we can punish South Carolina as she deserves…I do sincerely believe that the whole United States, north and south, would rejoice to have this army turned loose on South Carolina, to devastate that State… it would have a direct and immediate bearing on your campaign in Virginia.” Sherman received the change in orders12 and immediately wrote to Major General Halleck in Washington saying that he was now “free to make a broad swath through South and North Carolina”. “The truth is, the whole army is burning with an insatiable desire to wreak vengeance upon South Carolina. I almost tremble at her fate, but feel that she deserves all that seems in store for her ". 8. Report of Major General William T. Sherman. Millwood, NY: Kraus Reprint Company, 1977, p 281. 12. Report of Major General William T. Sherman. Millwood, NY: Kraus Reprint Company, 1977, p 288.