Maneuver Warfare and General W.T. Sherman's Atlanta Campaign
Abstract
The Atlanta campaign, conducted between May and September 1864 under the guidance of Major General Sherman, proved to be a pivotal military accomplishment. Masterful uses of many aspects of the operational art were demonstrated by General Sherman during this four month period but his repetitive use of maneuver is the most impressive. Sherman's use of innovative concepts in maneuver warfare created a highly mobile fighting force repeatedly able to gain the strategic advantage against a well entrenched adversary. Though modern operational maneuver is conducted at a speed several factors greater than Union troops were able to move, this research paper demonstrates how Sherman's successful Atlanta campaign fully supports today's current maneuver warfare doctrine. The paper includes the strategic environment in which Sherman conducted his march from Chattanooga to Atlanta. It then provides a basic description of theoretical maneuver warfare to demonstrate the requirements and list some of the restrictions. The paper concludes with how General Sherman, enroute to Atlanta, incorporated maneuver doctrine into his operational successes long before the theory was put to paper.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 13, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA330419
Entities
People
- Michael L. Hoyt
Organizations
- Naval War College