Thomas Wright's Diary

The West

Where was Sherman in early to mid May 1864, and what was happening in the west? Where was the Army of Tennessee?
Those few Questions should be answered so all can know why Lee couldn't expect help. Plus it lets you the reader, that some don't know the whole history. You may of never been taught or you like some live out side the United States. So many of you do, about half the readers live in another country. So I thought I would give a little information on it. Thanks for the time your are giving Thomas and myself, Thomas tells the story the way he sees fit at the time the words fill the page. You are getting his story, the way Thomas tells me in my head. That even to you fellow story tellers may sound strange. So what was happening in the West?

Sherman by May 7th was pushing towards Atlanta from Dalton Georgia. With his Army of 110,123 men against Johnston's 55,000
men. Sherman would chase, Johnston would take on defensive
positions nine times. Every move Sherman made his opponent guessed the correct direction.

June 27th Sherman did a frontal attack at Kennesaw Mountain Georgia. Johnston pushed him back with heavy losses. Sherman's
rear was attacked by Confederate Calvary raids led by Nathan Bedford Forrest, Joseph Wheeler. Forrest made a crushing blow to Sherman's rear at Brice's Cross Roads, in Mississippi on June 10th.

Although these were more  annoying they decisive. Sherman pressed on. When Johnston informed Confederate President Jefferson Davis, he could not annihilate Sherman's Army. Davis replaced him with John B. Hood, who had already lost two limbs in battle.

Hood, launched several offensive battles at Peach Creek, Atlanta, Ezra Church, and Jonesboro, Sherman repulsed his moves. Hood evacuated Atlanta the night of August 31st and September the 1st. Sherman did pursue, then on November 15th he started the march to the sea.

This is where Sherman can still bring up hatred in some places in the south. 62,000 men laid waste to the economic power and resources of Georgia. The path from Atlanta to Savannah was 50 miles wide. Everything of Military value encountered was destroyed. Railroads, telegraph lines, warehouses, crops.

He was followed by Georgia militiamen, local do wells and Confederate Calvary that committed a variety depredations on the population, including burning and pillaging civilian population. He was blamed not only for his actions but those that followed him in the rear, he had no control over. Although he claimed he did 100 million dollars in damage to Georgia. 80% was simple waste and destruction. The remainder Military in nature.
Sherman ordered no killing of civilians, of course this could of happened it does in all wars. Sherman promised to make Georgia Howl this he did. He took Savannah by December 21st that same year.

Hood tried to lure Sherman out of Georgia by moving on Nashville, Tennessee by marching 40,000 men out of Georgia.
Sherman didn't bite, pressed on with no doubts. By December 16th Hoods army was crushed at Nashville. That cut up his Army badly enough that it was no longer a threat in the west.

Sherman did what he called total war, this attitude worked. Deprive the Army of food, railroads, telegraph burn and chase your enemy till they drop. Yes a new tactic for the war one needed to end it as quickly as possible. 

I hope this helped with the why Lee could expect no help from the west. Every encounter with Grant just dwindled his Army. As long as Grant forced battle it consumed his Armies resources. By mid 1864 most hope of a southern victory was gone. Lee was left to maneuver his Army and try to avoid a fight. Maybe win a chance for settled peace. No matter if he tactically beat Grant, Grant's losses would have to be staggering to where his Army would have to regroup, that would only buy time. Again I thank you all, for waiting and not giving up on Thomas and his story. Sorry for the very short chapters.