Sherman's Legacy: The March to the Sea in Modern Times

The March to the Sea is arguably one the most famous and discussed campaigns in the Civil War, if not the entirety of American military history, and as such the way that we view it today in terms of morality and effectiveness varies wildly from person to person. However, little attention has been paid when it comes to the historiography of the March to the Sea and how historians’ perceptions of the campaign have changed over time. Historiographic research into this topic shows that older sources tend to have a more negative perception of Sherman and his command during the campaign, while newer sources tend to have a more positive view on Sherman and his command during the campaign. Although this paper is focused on how historians have perceived the March to the Sea over time, it also reflects how everyday people understand and interpret the Civil War and how the understanding changes over time.