- Joined
- Aug 25, 2012
I am reading When Sherman Marched North From the Sea 'Resistance on the Confederate Home Front by Jacqueline Glass Campbell. In the first chapter, one of the things Campbell discusses is the complex nature of General Sherman as the general who brought hard war to the citizens of Georgia and his hope of being seen as a benevolent protector of the Southern citizen once they submitted to the Union. She uses the Savannah relief program to help illustrate Sherman's dual nature.
"The Savannah relief program serves as a prism through which we can view not only the nature of William T. Sherman, but also the confecting sentiments that Yankees and Confederate held for each other. For the Union men in savannah, the distribution of food to suffering people elicited both sympathy and condescension. Many needy inhabitants welcomed the benevolence of their enemies; many more raged in frustration and humiliation." (page 24)
This made me wonder if the Savannah relief program was established out of the benevolent nature of Sherman, or was it an attempt by Sherman to show Southerners the futility of further resistance. The Savannah relief program was a great propaganda tool for Northern citizens to help them see themselves as merciful conquerors. But was Sherman and his army truly "merciful conquerors"? I do wonder how the image of Sherman as a merciful conqueror played out in the minds of the average "conquered" Southerner or in the minds of the average Confederate sympathizer.
I will have to finish reading When Sherman Marched North From the Sea 'Resistance on the Confederate Home Front to see how Jacqueline Glass Campbell treats this issue. Campbell is a persuasive writer but she will need to work to convince me.
"The Savannah relief program serves as a prism through which we can view not only the nature of William T. Sherman, but also the confecting sentiments that Yankees and Confederate held for each other. For the Union men in savannah, the distribution of food to suffering people elicited both sympathy and condescension. Many needy inhabitants welcomed the benevolence of their enemies; many more raged in frustration and humiliation." (page 24)
This made me wonder if the Savannah relief program was established out of the benevolent nature of Sherman, or was it an attempt by Sherman to show Southerners the futility of further resistance. The Savannah relief program was a great propaganda tool for Northern citizens to help them see themselves as merciful conquerors. But was Sherman and his army truly "merciful conquerors"? I do wonder how the image of Sherman as a merciful conqueror played out in the minds of the average "conquered" Southerner or in the minds of the average Confederate sympathizer.
I will have to finish reading When Sherman Marched North From the Sea 'Resistance on the Confederate Home Front to see how Jacqueline Glass Campbell treats this issue. Campbell is a persuasive writer but she will need to work to convince me.