my with every resource he could lay his hands on, but at best would only be able to muster about 30,000 men. This by obvious mathematics would be on challenge to the combined forces of Schofield and Sherman, let alone Sherman. Shaman's plan was to march through South Carolina all the while confusing the enemy. His men would march in two ranks: One would travel northwest to give the impression of a press against Augusta and the other would march northeast toward Charleston. However the one true objective would be Columbia.Shaman's force arrived in Columbia on February 16. The city was burned to the ground and great controversy was to arise. The Confederates claimed that Shaman's men set the fires "deliberately, systematically, and atrociously". However, Sherman claimed that the fires were burning when they arrived. The fires had been set to cotton bales by Confederate Calvary to prevent the Federal Army from getting them and the high winds quickly spread the fire. The controversy would be short lived, as no proof would ever be presented. So with Augusta, Columbia, and Charleston all fallen, Sherman would continue his drive north toward Goldsboro. On the way, his progress would be stalled not by the Confederates, but by run away slaves. The slaves were attaching themselves in the Union columns and by the time the forces entered North Carolina, they numbered in the thousands. But Shaman's force pushed on and finally met up with Schofield in Goldsboro on March 23rd.The End Is PlannedSherman immediately left Goldsboro to travel up to City Point and meet Grant to discuss plans of attack. When he arrived there, he found not only Grant, but also Admiral David Porter waiting to meet with President Lincoln. So on the morning of March 28th, General Grant, General Sherman, and Admiral Porter all met with Lincoln on the riverboat to discuss a strategy against General Lee and General Johnston of the Confederate Army. Several times Lin...
