What was the purpose of Sherman's March to the Sea during the Civil War?

The purpose of Sherman's March to the Sea was primarily to cut off the Confederate supplies received by the sea, which is accurately captured in the selected answer. This military campaign, conducted by Union General William Tecumseh Sherman from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia, aimed to disrupt the South's ability to sustain its army and civilian population. By marching through the heart of Georgia, Sherman and his forces inflicted significant economic damage, destroying railroads, mills, and warehouses, all of which were critical for supplying Confederate troops.

This strategy adopted by Sherman was known as "total war," which sought not only to defeat enemy forces but also to break the will of the Southern population to continue fighting by demonstrating the Union's overwhelming power and resolve. The destruction of supplies and infrastructure was intended to hasten the end of the war by reducing the Confederacy's capacity to wage it effectively.