Why did William T Sherman want to attack Columbia?
William T. Sherman did not actually want to attack Columbia, South Carolina. His primary objective was to destroy Confederate supply lines and cripple the Confederacy's ability to wage war. However, as Sherman's forces advanced through Georgia during his famous "March to the Sea" campaign in November 1864, they encountered little opposition and faced no major battles. This changed when they reached South Carolina, a state deeply associated with the secession and beginnings of the Civil War.
Sherman viewed South Carolina as the heart of secession and a major symbol of the Confederacy. He believed that by targeting the state, especially its capital city of Columbia, he could deal a significant blow to the Southern cause both militarily and psychologically. Additionally, by attacking cities associated with the beginning of the war, Sherman aimed to demoralize the Confederate population and push them closer to surrender.