The end of the war why did William T Sherman want to attack Columbia
There are several reasons why General William T. Sherman wanted to attack Columbia during the American Civil War:
1. Strategic Importance: Columbia, the capital city of South Carolina, held significant strategic importance due to its location and communication infrastructure. Attacking and capturing Columbia would disrupt Confederate supply lines and communication networks, hampering their ability to wage war effectively.
2. Psychological Warfare: Sherman aimed to break the will of the Confederacy through psychological warfare. By attacking and capturing important cities like Columbia, he wanted to demoralize the Confederate population and demonstrate the futility of their cause.
3. Economic Impact: Columbia was a crucial economic hub for the Confederacy. By attacking and looting the city, Sherman hoped to cripple the Southern economy and undercut their ability to sustain the war effort.
4. Retaliation: Sherman believed that Columbia was a stronghold of secessionists who supported slavery and the Confederate cause. Attacking the city served as a form of retaliation for Confederate actions and support.
5. Military Necessity: Sherman's philosophy of total war dictated that he should target any resource that could aid the Confederate war effort. By attacking Columbia, he aimed to disrupt the Confederacy's ability to rally and resupply their troops.
Overall, Sherman's decision to attack Columbia was driven by a combination of strategic, psychological, economic, and retaliatory reasons, aimed at achieving Union victory in the American Civil War.