In the late fall of 1864, Major General William Tecumseh Sherman and his 105,000 Union soldiers marched through Georgia and into the Carolinas. Serving his country in the American Civil War, Sherman hoped his "march to the sea" would lower the Confederates' morale and help he and his men win the war. The troops began their march in Dalton, Georgia on November 16 of last year. Sherman then spread his army out to a fifty- mile wide diameter and headed towards Atlanta, Georgia. Sherman's men included the Army of the Cumberland, the Army of Tennessee, and the Army of Ohio. On March 19 General Johnston attacked one of Sherman's advancing columns. Sherman's men reorganized and Johnston's men backed off. Sherman and his men followed close behind. Due to very poor weather and soggy roads, the pursuit was slowed down. General Bentonville Johnston posted his Confederate Army of Tennessee in Dalton, Georgia. Sherman then sent his men around the Confederate's left flank. May 12, 1864, Johnston retreated and dropped fifteen miles south to Resaca, Georgia and took another strong position. Sherman again made a left flanking maneuver. Johnston again avoided Sherman's attack and headed south to Altoona, Georgia. In just one month Sherman and his men had traveled eighty miles in pursuit of Johnston. There was continuous fighting between the two sides, but there were no large battles or heavy casualties.
             On June 27, Sherman once again attacked Johnston at Kennesaw Mountain. Union troops were repulsed with 2,000 killed and wounded. Johnston suffered from 5,000 casualties. Sherman once again shifted into a flanking maneuver, but Johnston retreated. By early July, Johnston had drawn back to the outskirts of Atlanta. Sherman then shifted into a crescent, confronting Johnston to the northwest, west, and southwest. On July 17, Jefferson Davis relieved Johnston of his duties and replaced him with General John B. Hood. On July 20 and 22, General Hood sent hi...