ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - On December 21, 1864, General William Sherman ended his March to the Sea by capturing Savannah, Georgia.

The March to the Sea was a military campaign that was hatched toward the end of the Civil War. General Sherman and his troops had destroyed the industrial and business districts of Atlanta. In mid-November, they left Atlanta and marched 250 miles to Savannah.

On their way, the troops ravaged property used for waging war. They destroyed railroads, train depots, factories and warehouses across the state.

The Union troops also helped to liberate thousands of enslaved people in Georgia, speeding up the end of slavery in the South.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.