Sherman Sherman presents Lincoln with a gift.

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December 22, 1864 - General William T. Sherman presents the city of Savannah, Georgia, to President Abraham Lincoln. Sherman captured the city after his famous March to the Sea from Atlanta. Savannah had been one of the last major ports that remained open to the Confederates.
After leaving Atlanta behind them, Sherman and his army swept through Georgia, For nearly six weeks, nothing was heard from Sherman’s army. Finally, just before Christmas, word arrived that Sherman’s army was outside Savannah. A Union officer reached the coast and found a Union warship that carried him to Washington, D.C.,to personally deliver news of the success. Sherman wired Lincoln with the message, “I beg to present you, as a Christmas gift, the city of Savannah, with 150 heavy guns and plenty of ammunition, and also about 25,000 bales of cotton.”
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sherman-presents-lincoln-with-a-christmas-gift

Savannah.jpg
 
December 22, 1864 - General William T. Sherman presents the city of Savannah, Georgia, to President Abraham Lincoln. Sherman captured the city after his famous March to the Sea from Atlanta. Savannah had been one of the last major ports that remained open to the Confederates.
After leaving Atlanta behind them, Sherman and his army swept through Georgia, For nearly six weeks, nothing was heard from Sherman’s army. Finally, just before Christmas, word arrived that Sherman’s army was outside Savannah. A Union officer reached the coast and found a Union warship that carried him to Washington, D.C.,to personally deliver news of the success. Sherman wired Lincoln with the message, “I beg to present you, as a Christmas gift, the city of Savannah, with 150 heavy guns and plenty of ammunition, and also about 25,000 bales of cotton.”
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sherman-presents-lincoln-with-a-christmas-gift

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Why has Sherman been praised for his actions yet Sheridan did the same thing to the Shenandoah Valley? Grant sent Sherman to prevent any Confederate force from reinforcing the ANV and to use persuasive methods to show the civilian population that continuing this would be destructive and that there is no longer any protection to come from their army.This would cause a demand for the Confederate soldier to return home ., resulting in desertions from the CSA army.Sheridan was to destroy the breadbasket of the ANV.and to use Sherman's persuasive methods against the population in this area. Question; While Sherman and Sheridan did successfully accomplish these, why has Grant not received the recolonization for the great strategist who developed this, knowing that he had the two generals who would carry this out?
 
Why has Sherman been praised for his actions yet Sheridan did the same thing to the Shenandoah Valley?Grant sent Sherman to prevent any Confederate force from reinforcing the ANV and to use persuasive methods to show the civilian population that continuing this would be destructive and that there is no longer any protection to come from their army.This would cause a demand for the Confederate soldier to return home ., resulting in desertions from the CSA army. Sheridan was to destroy the breadbasket of the ANV.and to use Sherman's persuasive methods against the population in this area.Question; While Sherman and Sheridan did successfully accomplish these, why has Grant not received the recolonization for the great strategist who developed this, knowing that he had the two generals who would carry this out?
Asked another way, why was it that Sheridan, with all the fawning newspaper reporters he cultivated, didn't receive the same level of credit Sherman received...
 
A welcome present, but capturing Atlanta had given Lincoln his second term.
Why was the taking of Atlanta so important to the election of Lincoln? The war was still to continue ,the destruction and deaths would increase .As long as the Confederate forces remind on the field ,as long as Lee held Grant in check in front of Petersburg . More important was Savannah which would be his base of operations into the Carolinas and maintaining Johnson's attention. and continuation of destruction of Southern property . Taking Atlanta was a military objective ,to destroy the rail system and military base of goods for both forces.But in regards to the Union elections the war was the issue.
 
Why was the taking of Atlanta so important to the election of Lincoln?
We'll have to ask Lincoln, the members of his Administration, the northern press, the soldiers and the general citizenry.
To them, it meant a great deal, as it provided evidence that the war was being won- evidence they craved.
 
We'll have to ask Lincoln, the members of his Administration, the northern press, the soldiers and the general citizenry.
To them, it meant a great deal, as it provided evidence that the war was being won- evidence they craved.
If this is what they say of the taking of the city ,why on the eve of the election did Lincoln inform the Secretaries of his intention continuing the war regardless of the outcome till the next administration assume authority,or is this just another myth? Atlanta was a boost to moral but there is no evidence which I can find to have altered the physiological thoughts of Lincoln that the war was at a near end,depression and anxiety were his constant fear.What if Johnson would be able to join with Lee or Lee to evade Grant and join Johnson would have been a true nightmare of the first degree !
 
If this is what they say of the taking of the city ,why on the eve of the election did Lincoln inform the Secretaries of his intention continuing the war regardless of the outcome till the next administration assume authority,or is this just another myth? Atlanta was a boost to moral but there is no evidence which I can find to have altered the physiological thoughts of Lincoln that the war was at a near end,depression and anxiety were his constant fear.What if Johnson would be able to join with Lee or Lee to evade Grant and join Johnson would have been a true nightmare of the first degree !
Thanks for your response.
I don't believe that anyone has claimed that the fall of Atlanta put aside all other concerns. But it certainly was welcome news. Some claim it was the actual 'turning point' of the rebellion: though a major milestone, that may be too exuberant. As to Johnston's hopes of joining Lee, that is an interesting 'what if' exercise, nothing more.
 
We'll have to ask Lincoln, the members of his Administration, the northern press, the soldiers and the general citizenry.
To them, it meant a great deal, as it provided evidence that the war was being won- evidence they craved.
Center of rail system/Chattanooga of that theater. Large military depot. Symbol ,next of South Carolina , of Southern hostility from the Constitution to that time , both states were the leaders of the system. By taking Atlanta, Sherman was making a bold political statement. Georgia is out next will be South Carolina, The reason that he did not move on Mother Charleston is I think that the Union Navy had deprived him and his army of that glory. Columbia was the capital and served as a token for Charleston. Then what better political /military victory next to total victory which would require Richmond and Lee. Question; AFTER Lee and Johnson surrender was there any other major Confederate forces ,active" in any other theaters and what is the OFFICIAL date of the Confederacy. Understand what I am inquiring? No official surrender of all forces ,then no official end of war. German did a total surrender after both wars,. There was a cease fire after Korea and troops are on the border, nothing on Viet Nam. Davis did not surrender the government. If there was not any official record of a peace agreement then are we still at war.Give me ten minuets and I will be ready to march ,NOT FOR SLAVERY but for the true States Rights as the ANT FEDERLIST meant. .,Response to this is welcome. Read the ANTI FEDERALIST papers.
 
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