War of the Rebellion: Serial 099 Introduction

Intro
Columbia Intro

Vol. 47 Introduction - Serial 99

At the start of 1865 Sherman had his army around Charleston, refreshed, re-supplied by the Navy, and ready to go. Joe Johnston had the remnants of the Army of Tennessee, after Hood had wrecked it in the winter campaign into Tennessee, short of men and supplies. He recruited State Militias, old men and young boys, gave them whatever arms and uniforms were available, but mostly avoided battle with Sherman's veterans - wisely.
Grant's plan was simple: Sherman would march north through the Carolinas, the last supply source for the Confederacy. If Johnston fought, Sherman would win; if Johnston retreated, Sherman would eventually be behind Lee and the Confederates would have to give battle or starve. Lesser operations would take Mobile, Alabama, Wilmington, North Carolina, and raid into the last Confederate-held parts of Alabama and Georgia.
These three volumes trace Sherman's route north through the Carolinas, regularly skirmishing, probing, outflanking Johnston's forces, but with only a few battles for the whole campaign of four months.

This volume contains correspondence, orders, telegrams, etc. fleshing out the reports of the campaign. Some are from the US Navy, showing the role it played in supporting operations on the coast. The bulk of the material is from the Union.

Intro
Columbia Intro