Includes bibliographical references (p. [613]-651) and index.

I. PREPARATION: A gathering of eagles -- Captive audiences -- The Stormbringer -- The plan -- "Paradise of fools" -- II. ATLANTA TO MILLEDGEVILLE, Nov. 15-24: "Dies Irae filled the air" -- "Lurid flames lit up the heavens" -- "Forage of all kinds abounds" -- "Arise for the defense of your native soil!" -- "Whites look sour & sad" -- "Ugly weather" -- "But bless God, he died free!" -- "We 'shot low and to kill'" -- "The first act is well played" -- III. MILLEDGEVEILLE TO MILLEN, Nov. 25 - Dec. 4: "We went for them on the run" -- "Poor foolish simpletons" -- "I never was so frightened in all my life" -- "Give those fellows a start" -- IV. MILLEN TO SAVANNAH, Dec. 5-10: "Splendid sight to see cotton gins burn" -- V. SAVANNAH, Dec. 11 - Jan. 21: "I was soon covered with blood from head to foot" -- "I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah" -- "But what is next?" -- VI. FINALE: "The blow was struck at the right moment and in the right direction" -- Union Forces roster -- Confederate Forces roster.

Award-winning Civil War historian Trudeau has written a fascinating new history of Sherman's legendary and devastating march through Georgia. Told through diaries and letters of Sherman's soldiers, this work paints a vivid picture of an event that changed the course of America.