[mass55th]

"The only thing that kept the South in the war for four years was general ineptitude on the part of the Union generals."

I totally agree with you. Although Sherman is reviled by many, he did what no other Union General had before him, that is, take the war to the people. His theory of destroying the South's ability & will to wage war will be debated for ages to come, but it worked.

Sherman utilized Confederate soldiers to remove mines they (the Rebels) had buried in roadways. I also remember reading about his placing Southern civilians on boats that could possibly come under attack of Rebel guns along the river. He did what he had to do to win the war, whether it was popular or not.

[Badeye]

Yep. Sherman's "theories" were the percursor to the Blitzkrieg warfare of the 1940's, just as Longstreets "theories" concerning defensive warfare was the percursor to the trench warfare from WWI.

Sherman didn't want the war, didn't want to "destroy the south" which he in fact dearly loved prior to the war.

Too many "myths" are accepted as fact from the era, imho.

My favorite is Heth was looking for shoes at Gettysburg, btw. Thats probably the single greatest "myth" from the CW.

[varina davis]

I totally agree with you. Although Sherman is reviled by many, he did what no other Union General had before him, that is, take the war to the people. His theory of destroying the South's ability & will to wage war will be debated for ages to come, but it worked.

"Only an atheist contends that victory is a criterion of right." --- Dabney

[mass55th]

Speaking of Generals, I just realized that General Grant was born on this date in 1822. Happy Birthday Mr. President.