Why did William T. Sherman want to attack Columbia

1.because he had lost a previous skirmish there.
2. because he wanted to attack the capital of the state where the war began
3. because it was located directly in his line of march from Georgia to North Carolina
4. because it was a symbol of arrogance and the plantation economy that pushed the nation toward war

All of the options mentioned could have influenced William T. Sherman's decision to attack Columbia. However, the most significant reason is likely option #3, as Columbia was located directly in his path from Georgia to North Carolina. It was strategically important for Sherman to disrupt and weaken the Confederate forces, and capturing Columbia would have served that purpose. Additionally, by attacking the capital of South Carolina, where the war began, Sherman aimed to psychologically and symbolically undermine the Confederacy's cause.