John Bell Hood had done his job too well. In the fall of 1864, the commander of the Confederate Army of Tennessee had harassed Federal forces in north Georgia so badly that the Union commander, William T. Sherman, decided to abandon his position. During his subsequent “March to the Sea,” Sherman’s men lived off the land and made Georgia howl.

Some fighting and some hard marching --A needless effusion of blood: the fight at Allatoona pass -- Immediate and unconditional surrender : the return to Resaca and Dalton -- A slight demonstration : the campaign through North Alabama-- Tennessee : a grave or a free home: the march to Franklin begins -- The race to Spring Hill -- At all hazards : the Union forces arrive and deploy in Franklin -- We will make the fight : Confederate forces arrive and deploy -- It seemed to me that the air was all red and blue : the Missouri Brigade attacks -- Run against a Chinese wall : Walthall and Loring -- The ferocity of demons : Cleburne and Brown -- Upon us like tigers : Bate's attack -- Moving into the very door of hell : Johnson's night attack -- Along the line.