![[CIVIL WAR]. SHERMAN, William T. (1820-1891), Lieutenant General, United States Army. Autograph letter signed ("W.T. Sherman") to his Chief Engineer, Orlando Metcalfe Poe (1832-1895), n.p. [South Carolina], 6 February 1865. 1 page, 8vo, Head-Quarters Military Division of the Mississippi stationery, autograph endorsement of Poe on verso of integral leaf, in fine condition.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2003/NYR/2003_NYR_01246_0061_000(061243).jpg?w=1)
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[CIVIL WAR]. SHERMAN, William T. (1820-1891), Lieutenant General, United States Army. Autograph letter signed ("W.T. Sherman") to his Chief Engineer, Orlando Metcalfe Poe (1832-1895), n.p. [South Carolina], 6 February 1865. 1 page, 8vo, Head-Quarters Military Division of the Mississippi stationery, autograph endorsement of Poe on verso of integral leaf, in fine condition.
SHERMAN ORDERS THE DESTRUCTION OF RAILROADS IN THE CAROLINAS
Six days after launching his Carolina campaign, following the successful capture of Savannah, Sherman orders the destruction of railroads, an element of strategy that had been key to the success during the March to the Sea. Directing the operations of his Engineer Corps, Sherman informs his Chief Engineer of imminent movements: "The 15th Corps moves early tomorrow on 'Lowry's' section [a possible reference to Confederate General Robert Lowry, from South Carolina]. Please see that the Engineer Regt. falls in with the Leading Division provided with one wagon load of their tools for destroying Road." He orders the engineers to focus on the destruction of the railroads: "After a break is made, I will give orders for parties to work right & left, and desire the engineers to confine their attentions to the twist." Sherman's mention of the "twist" refers to the typical method of destroying railroad track. Soldiers would heat the center of the rails over a fire and then bend and twist them around a pole. The destroyed track became known as "Sherman's hairpins" or "Sherman's bowties". Sherman concludes by emphasizing the continued need for speed in the campaign: "The two leading Divisions of the 15 Corps, will move without wagons other than ambulances & a few with cartridges."
The campaign in the Carolinas proved vital to the final defeat of Confederate forces in the field. Sherman's focus upon the destruction of property and the enemy's ability to resist was often criticized in both North and South, but Sherman remained convinced that such a strategy was the shortest route to victory: "Sherman had already declared that the most humane way to end the war was to destroy the South's power to resist by cutting off supplies and manufacturing and by making the civilian's lot so miserable as to break the morale of Confederates at home and in the field" (Davis, Sherman's March, pp. 9-10).
SHERMAN ORDERS THE DESTRUCTION OF RAILROADS IN THE CAROLINAS
Six days after launching his Carolina campaign, following the successful capture of Savannah, Sherman orders the destruction of railroads, an element of strategy that had been key to the success during the March to the Sea. Directing the operations of his Engineer Corps, Sherman informs his Chief Engineer of imminent movements: "The 15
The campaign in the Carolinas proved vital to the final defeat of Confederate forces in the field. Sherman's focus upon the destruction of property and the enemy's ability to resist was often criticized in both North and South, but Sherman remained convinced that such a strategy was the shortest route to victory: "Sherman had already declared that the most humane way to end the war was to destroy the South's power to resist by cutting off supplies and manufacturing and by making the civilian's lot so miserable as to break the morale of Confederates at home and in the field" (Davis, Sherman's March, pp. 9-10).