Sherman's strategy of total war brought the war home to many in the Deep South. Most of the young men and boys in the Confederate Army did not own slaves--they fought in order to protect their homes from people they were told were invaders. During Sherman's March to the Sea, his army lived off the land, meaning that they took food that they needed from the countryside. Southern soldiers who received letters from home learned that they needed to come and help their families rebuild--this led to higher desertion rates in the Army of Tennessee. Sherman also went to war against the Southern infrastructure--he destroyed rail lines and telegraph lines which kept the Confederate armies supplied and informed. By going to war against supplies as well as the armies which used them, Sherman made the war end sooner. Sherman also inspired other generals to wage total war--upon seeing the success of Sherman's armies, Grant authorized Philip Sheridan to wage total war in the Shenandoah Valley in order to deprive Lee of valuable foodstuffs.
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