How Sherman’s March to the Sea became ‘America’s largest emancipation’
A drawing from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, March 18, 1865 showing emancipated former slaves on the march with Sherman's army through Georgia. Their story is the subject of Bennett Parten's book, "Somewhere Toward Freedom." Library of Congress (drawing) / Simon & Schuster (book cover)
Among the most famous episodes in the Civil War is General William Sherman’s “March to the Sea.” It split the Confederacy in half and helped bring about the end of the war.
Less well known is that the march led to the emancipation of as many as 20,000 people who’d been enslaved. Although Sherman himself was quite racist, these men, women and children joined the march — effectively making up the rear guard of “Uncle Billy’s army.”
Their perspective is at the center of the book Somewhere Toward Freedom: Sherman’s March and the Story of America’s Largest Emancipation, by the historian Bennett Parten. Parten will be giving a talk on his book this Wednesday in Springfield.
Want to go?
When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026
Where: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, Illinois
Admission: Free (registration required)
Guest
Bennett Parten
Assistant professor of history, Georgia Southern University
Author, Somewhere Toward Freedom: Sherman’s March and the Story of America’s Largest Emancipation
