Lesson Plan: The Civil War: On the Battlefield
A Hoosier Perspective on the March to the Sea: The Diary of William Miller
Eighth Grade
Purpose of Lesson: This lesson can be used to illustrate Sherman’s march from
Atlanta to Savannah. The lesson includes the reading of selected diary entries from
Hoosier soldier Sergeant William Bluffton Miller of Wells County, Indiana, who served
with the 75th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
Objective: At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
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Describe an eyewitness account of the burning of Atlanta
Explain how one Hoosier soldier dealt with the realities of war
Describe Union soldiers' attitudes toward Southerners
Describe the actions of black slaves when meeting Union troops in the South
Describe the effects of the “March to the Sea” on the South
Correlation to Indiana Standards
Social Studies
8.1.27 Recognize historical perspective by identifying the historical context in which
events unfolded and by avoiding evaluation of the past solely in terms of present-day
norms.
USH1.3 Review and summarize key events and developments in the following periods
of United States history: Founding the Republic (1775 -1801), Expansion and Reform
(1801 -1861), Civil War and Reconstruction (1850 -1877).
USH9.1 Locate and analyze primary and secondary sources presenting differing
perspectives on events and issues of the past.
Lesson Activities:
This lesson includes several diary entries written by Sgt. William Miller (“We have surely
done a big work: The Diary of a Hoosier Soldier on Sherman’s March to the Sea,”
Indiana Magazine of History, vol. 94, September 1998, pages 214-239). Students
should read each entry and answer the corresponding questions. Students may work
individually or with a partner. A conclusion about Sgt. Miller’s unit is included at the end
of the entries and questions.
Historical and Methodological Context for the Lesson:
At the beginning of spring 1864 the war was at a tipping point. Union troops
were spread thin defending captured cities and towns. The three-year enlistment period
for Union volunteers was up – 136,000 reenlisted but another 100,000 headed for
home. States made up the difference with conscripts and paid bounty soldiers, but
many of these men showed little dedication to the cause once in the heat of battle.
From May through August of 1864 the forces of General Grant in Virginia and
Pennsylvania and Sherman's forces in Georgia were engaged in nearly constant
warfare with southern forces. As Grant and Lee fought their way through Pennsylvania
and Virginia, Union casualties were horrific. In seven weeks from the beginning of May,
65,000 Union soldiers were dead, wounded, or missing. Public opinion in the North
began to turn against Lincoln; Confederate leaders began to hope that if they could hold
out until the November election, they might negotiate for peace with a new president.
Sherman's Atlanta campaign ended those southern hopes. He outmaneuvered
Confederate troops sent to intercept him and began a siege of the city. On September
1, 1864, after several costly battles, Gen. John Bell Hood ordered the evacuation of
Atlanta and withdrew his battered Army of Tennessee. Union troops marched into the
city and took command. The effect on both North and South was immediate and
significant. Atlanta was one of the few major manufacturing centers for the southern
war – its factories, foundries, and munitions plants were supplemented by a complex of
railroad lines running out from the city. Southern diarist Mary Chestnut lamented that
"We are going to be wiped off the earth."
Sherman then took a bold risk. He wanted to "move through Georgia,
smashing things to the sea" and take the port of Savannah.. "I can make the
march," he wrote, "and make Georgia howl." On the night of November 15,
Bluffton and his fellow soldiers who were camped east of Atlanta witnessed a
great fire, deliberately set to destroy businesses and industrial sites. As the
troops marched away from the city the next morning, the railroad depot was
destroyed behind them. Union forces, however, were in high spirits. As the
regiment left Atlanta, one member of the 75th noted: “It was a charming
November morning. The [Fourteenth] Corps. . .with swinging, regular step, arms
glistening in the sunlight, and colors unfurled to the balmy breezes, was as fine a
picture as eyes ever saw.”
Sherman's forces wreaked havoc as they went, and purposely so. The
general believed that "We cannot change the hearts of the people of the South,
but we can make war so terrible . . . that generations would pass away before
they would again appeal to it." The 75th Indiana was part of the process,
destroying Georgia railroads as they marched. Foraging parties, soon
nicknamed “Sherman’s bummers,” confiscated large amounts of rations from
southern farmers and homeowners.
By early December Sherman's forces reached Savannah. On December
20, the Confederates withdrew from the city and Unions forces occupied it the
next day. Sherman's troops had marched through one of the most important
states in the Confederacy, split it in two, destroyed its communications and
transportation lines, and decimated its towns and farmlands.
Assessment:
1. Students should read the selected entries and answer the questions. A group
discussion may follow.
2. If time allows, students might create an illustrated time line of Miller’s experiences on
the March to the Sea.
3. An alternative longer project is appended to this lesson. In this project, students use
the excerpts from Miller's diary and the illustrations provided to create an illustrated
newsmagaine article about one soldier's experiences on Sherman's March to the Sea.
Other Resources:
For more on Sherman's March to the Sea, see the collection of online documents at:
http://www.cviog.uga.edu [See especially Sherman's Dec. 17 letter to the Confederate General
holding Savannah. Use the keyword search "Sherman"]
The lyrics to the Civil War song "Marching through Georgia" are available at:
http://www.civilwarpoetry.org/union/songs/marchga.html
For a brief biography of Sherman, see the Ehistory web site at:
http://ehistory.osu.edu
and the entry on Sherman from the Columbia Encyclopedia:
http://www.bartleby.com/65/sh/ShermanW.html
For more on Lee's surrender at Appomattox (for possible use in students'
newsmagazine articles), see the National Park website at:
http://www.nps.gov/apco/surrend.htm
or see the longer, detailed account by a Union general who was present:
http://www.civilwarhome.com/surrender.htm
From the Diary of Sgt. William B. Miller
Tuesday, November 15, 1864
Moved out at daylight and arrived at Atlanta about nine Oclock A M. We stopped
in the city until afternoon and then moved out on the Augusta Rail Road and camped on
a elevation that overlooks the city. The city is fired in several places and about dark the
Torch was set into the Business part. It was a grand sight from our camp to look down
on the burning city. The night is dark and an occasional shell burst and scatters things
around promiscuously. Some of our Boys was down and got some clotheing from the
burning buildings. The entire city was destroyed but a few occupied houses. It reminds
me of the destruction of the city of Babylon as spoken of in the Bible which was
destroyed because of the wickedness of her people and that is the case with Atlanta. I
feel Sorry for some of the people but a Soldier is not supposed to have any concience
and must lay aside all scruples he may have. We drew some clothing and Rations and
have orders to move in the morning. With all the excitement and attending to duty I did
not get any Sleep.
1. Where did Miller’s unit set up camp and why would they choose this position?
2. What did Miller and his fellow soldiers see and do that night?
3. What Bible story does Miller note? What comparison does he draw between the
story and what was happening in Atlanta?
4. Miller notes that “a Soldier is not supposed to have any concience and must lay
aside all scruples he may have.” Why do you think he wrote this statement? Why do
you agree or disagree with Miller’s statement?
Sunday, December 4, 1864
Miller and his fellow soldiers were engaged by rebel forces near Waynesboro, Ga.
He notes,
They had to retreat across a large swamp about a mile wide and the road was
graded high and about wide enough for three or four men to ride abreast they was in
such a hurry the[y] crouded each other off. Some of them undertook to ride through the
Swamp and they mired down and was shot off their horses and quite a number lay
along the road. We pushed on after our Cavalry into town and followed them some
distance but they did not hault any more untill they put the river some distance between
them and us. We then returned to town. Gathered up the guns and wounded left the
dead to be burried by the citizens and started to catch up with the ballance of the Army.
. . We camp at Alexandria. We run Wheeler away from his breakfast and came very
near captureing him and his Staff. They was completely surprised at infantry getting
there so soon and supposed we was at Millan. Our loss was about forty men altogether.
We caputred about a hundred prisoners and killed about thirty of them. It was fun for us
to see them Skip out. I seen one old Reb lying along the road (quite an old man) that
had been a Saber stroke across his back and not dead yet but mortally wounded and
under other circumstances his grey hairs would have appealed to my heart for simpathy
but we are not here to Simpathise with men who brought it on themselves. When we
skirmished through town we did not see any body but Rebel Cavalry but when we
returned it was alive with women and children who had on their Sunday clothes and it
reminded me of home. They had hid in the cellars while the fight was going on and
come out to see us.
1. Describe what Miller experienced in the above passage.
2. Why did Union forces leave the dead Rebel soldier unburied?
3. Explain what Miller meant when he wrote, “. . .we are not here to simpatise with men
who brought it on themselves.”
Friday, December 9, 1864
When we destroyed the Bridge across Big Ebonezer this morning the road as far
as we could see north was lined with Negroes who have followed us. It was really pitty
full to see them and they are afraid of the Rebels and begged hard to get over. Some of
them Swam the river but the women and children could not get over. I noticed women
with two or three little children trudgeing along through the mud. Old white headed men
who could hardly walk all trying to get away. They are very ignorant but they know on[e]
thing and that is they want to be free. Thinking they ould go with us they have gathered
up their little effects and left their old homes. They are taught to believe that we were
regular cut throats by their masters but when we come they are ready to go with us.
They know we are their friends and the mystery is how they know it. Some of them say
they thought the Yankees had horns like an ox. I don’t see how they can live in the
country we have passed over for every thing was destroyed. Some Negro Huts are left
but Smoke marked the advance of our Army and many of Shermans Monuments (as we
call the chimneys) are standing in memory of the “March to the Sea.”
1. Describe what Miller saw on the morning of December 9.
2. What was the goal of the slaves?
3. Miller notes that the slaves had gathered up “their little effects.” What might have
been “little effects”?
4. How do the slaves know Miller and his fellow soldiers are friendly?
5. Why might the slaves think that the “Yankees had horns like an ox”?
6. What are Sherman's monuments? Why would Miller seem to be proud of these
"monuments"?
Wednesday, December 14, 1864, in camp outside Savannah
We remained in camp all day and the cannonadeing was kept up as usual but
seems to be down the river from us and I suppose it is our fleet Shelling the city. We got
the news of the capture of Fort McAllister on the Ogechee river and that we could now
write our friends, as that opened communication. I did not learn what our loss was but
our men charged the fort from the land side carrying it by storm captureing the entire
Garrison. This marked the thirty second day Since we left Kingston and Seventy one
since we started north from Atlanta, since which we have been moving continuously and
we have surely done a big work. We have cut the Confederacy in twain and destroyed
the crops in the richest part of their country so as to cut off their supplies and now we
are beseigeing one of their principle Seaport cities.
1. Miller writes that “we have surely done a big work.” What do you think this means?
2. Follow a map of Sherman's March and then, also using a map, follow the final
marches of the 75th Indiana as described below.
Conclusion
On January 20, 1865, the 75th Indiana left Savannah to begin the march through the
Carolinas. They advanced through the South Carolina capital of Columbia and were the
first organized Union troops into Fayetteville, North Carolina on March 11. The troops
experienced several skirmishes but reached Goldsboro, North Carolina, on March 22,
where they rested until April 10. At this point, the regiment had marched more than 400
miles in 50 days.
Their final march was to the city of Raleigh, North Carolina. On April 13, they learned of
Gen. Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. After the final
surrender paperwork was signed on April 26, the regiment marched in Washington,
D.C., passing up Pennsylvania Avenue in grand review before President Andrew
Johnson. The 75th Indiana was officially mustered out of service on June 8, 1865. Sgt.
Miller returned home and worked as a carpenter and druggist in various locations in
northern Indiana. He died in Charleston, Illinois, in 1918.
Alternate Assignment: Create an Illustrated Newsmagazine Article
Students, working individually or in teams, will pretend they have been assigned by a
current newsmagazine to create a four-page spread illustrating Miller and his fellow
soldier’s experience during Sherman’s march to the sea. Students will be assessed on
content, historical accuracy and creativity.
The four-page spread must include the following elements:
A. Copy (or story) of at least four paragraphs highlighting content from the
assigned letters
B. Appropriately written headline (sub headline optional)
C. At least six illustrations, from those provided or using additional illustrations
found in books or online, with written captions
D. A map of the march as experienced by Sgt. Miller and his fellow soldiers
As an example, the teacher may wish to show a current issue of a newsmagazine
(Time, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, etc.) and discuss the purpose of the
elements (copy, captions, illustrations, headline, etc.) which make up the spread. A
student hand-out is provided with suggestions for the four-page newsmagazine spread.
Suggestions for Newsmagazine Spread
You have been assigned to create a four-page newsmagazine spread illustrating Sgt.
William Bluffton Miller and his fellow soldier’s experience as they marched with Gen.
Sherman across Georgia. Your newsmagazine spread must include the following
elements:
A. Copy (or story) of at least four paragraphs highlighting content from the
assigned letters
B. Appropriately written headline (sub headline optional)
C. At least six illustrations, from those provided, with written captions
D. A map of the march as experienced by Sgt. Miller and his fellow soldiers
Copy Suggestions
In “news speak” copy is another word for story or article. Your copy should be at
minimum four paragraphs and include information from the letters you read.
Writing copy for a newsmagazine is somewhat different than writing an essay:
 Be concise—get to the point quickly and use as few of words as necessary, yet
include the basic facts—who, what, where, when, why and how
 Don’t try to impress your reader with big words; use everyday words
 Write in short paragraphs—no more than 3 or 4 sentences per paragraph
 Leave out your opinion— it is important to write only the facts
 You might wish to write out “interview” questions for Sgt. Miller, find the answers
in the letters and attribute the “answers” to Sgt. Miller. For example: If you wish
to include information about Atlanta burning, your “question” might be: “What did
you see burning?” After finding your “answer,” you might write: As Sgt. Miller and
his fellow soldiers camped outside Atlanta, he witnessed Gen. Sherman’s famed
burning of the city. As darkness descended upon the city, Sgt. Miller noted, “The
city is fired in several places and about dark the torch was set into the business
part.”
 All information included in the copy should be historically accurate
 If typed, your copy should use 12-14 point type in an easy-to-read font such as
Arial, Century, Courier, or Times New Roman. Your copy should not be in a
script and/or handwritten font.
Headline and Sub-Headline Suggestions
The headline is similar to the title of a book. It tells the reader what to expect from the
story. A sub-headline provides additional information to supplement the headline.
Your headlines and sub-headlines should:
 Draw the reader’s attention to the copy
 Identify the subject or topic of the copy
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Be easy to find on the spread
Headline, if typed, should be 18+ point
Sub-headline, if typed, should be 16-18 point type
Sub-headline should be placed near the headline
Illustrations and Captions Suggestions
Your newsmagazine spread should include at least six illustrations with written captions.
Your illustrations should:
 Help “tell the story” of your copy
 Include a caption
 Be placed throughout the four-page spread
Your captions should:
 Accurately describe the illustration in 2-4 sentences
 Include the basic facts about each illustration—who, what, where, when, why,
and how
 Be placed next to the illustration
Other Elements
You may wish to include other elements throughout your newsmagazine spread. Other
elements include:
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Sidebar story: a short story (1-3 paragraphs) highlighting additional information
from the copy or about another subject (for example: a biography of Gen.
Sherman or a story on Gen. Lee’s surrender)
Pulled quotes: highlighted quotes from the copy, usually in larger font (16+ point
size)
Timeline of the Sgt. Miller’s experiences or timeline of the Civil War
All other elements should be historically accurate