Sherman's March Through North Carolina: A Chronology

Sherman's March through North Carolina: A Chronology recounts the daily activities of troops under the command of Major General William T. Sherman from 1 March 1865 through 4 May 1865, when troops entered the state from South Carolina and exited into Virginia. This book also describes opposing activities of Confederate troops under the command of General Joseph E. Johnston. Of special interest is the chronology's focus on the reaction of North Carolina's civilian population to the presence of troops on both sides of the conflict and the deeds--real or rumored--committed by their troops. Sherman and his commanding officers clearly drew a distinction between the two Carolinas in terms of overall responsibility for starting the war. Sherman's treatment of North Carolina's civilian population is contrasted with that shown residents of South Carolina. The chronology summarizes negotiations carried on by Generals Sherman and Johnston, meetings that produced personal cooperation and mutual respect and for a basis for ending the war. "Sherman's March" heavily relies on eyewitness accounts, diaries, letters, and persona reminiscences of North Carolinians whose lives were affected by the Union and/or Confederate presence.