Civil War: Sherman's March - Platter Diary

Civil War: Sherman's March - Platter Diary

368 pages of the Civil War era Sherman's March/Platter diary. 184 pages of handwritten diary entries and 184 pages of text transcriptions.

Between November 10, 1864 to April 27, 1865, Lt. Cornelius C. Platter, of the 81st Ohio Infantry Volunteers kept a diary. The entries cover details of the actions he participated in, including Major General William Tecumseh Sherman's Union Army's March to the Sea.

Sherman's March to the Sea is commonly referred to as the Savannah Campaign. Civil War historian David J. Eicher wrote in his book, "The Longest Night: A Military History of the Civil War," that Sherman "defied military principles by operating deep within enemy territory and without lines of supply or communication. He destroyed much of the South's potential and psychology to wage war."

The march began two months after the end of the Atlanta Campaign. On November 12, 1864, Sherman ordered the continuation of his march through Georgia. In the course of the march, he cut himself off from his source of supplies, planning for his troops to live off the land. His men cut a path 300 miles long and 60 miles wide as they passed through Georgia, destroying factories, bridges, railroads, and public buildings.

Herman Hattaway and Archer Jones cited in their book "How the North Won: A Military History of the Civil War," the significant damage inflicted to the railroad system and Southern logistics during the campaign, writing that, "Sherman's raid succeeded in knocking the Confederate war effort to pieces."

After taking Savannah, Sherman ordered his troops into South Carolina on January 17, 1865. About a month later, South Carolina's capital, Columbia was under Sherman's control. Sherman's forces were approaching Raleigh, North Carolina when the war ended.


Platter’s Diary

Platter's chronicling starts as the Union Army's moves from Rome, Georgia to Savannah, Georgia, then march north through the Carolinas. Platter writes about the sight of destruction in Atlanta, the burning of Columbia, South Carolina, reaction to the news of Confederate surrender, and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Details given by Platter includes dates and times of events, weather conditions, duration of marches, local scenery, rumors spread through camp, state of rations, and troop morale.