Sherman's March to Meridian

By Staff
Feb. 29, 2004
During the Civil War, 140 years ago, Union Gen. William T. Sherman began a march across Mississippi that would change the course of history. One of his
targets was a thriving trade and transportation center in East Mississippi, a city known as Meridian. When his forces were finished, Meridian was thought no longer to exist.
The Meridian Star is tracking Sherman's route and the devastating impact his raid had on the city.
Feb. 29, 1864
Southerners condemn Sherman for the utterly
ruthless tactics he employs in the Meridian Campaign, and later in Georgia and the
Carolinas. Sherman himself is unrepentant, placing the blame for his terrible work squarely upon the
Confederates themselves: "Three years ago, by a little reflection and patience, they could have had a hundred years of peace and
prosperity, but they preferred war; very well. Last year they could have saved their slaves, but now it is too late. All the powers of earth cannot return to them their slaves, any more than their dead grandfathers. Next year their lands will be taken; for in war we can take them, and rightfully, too, and in another year they may beg in vain for their lives."
Such was the measure of the professional warrior who crushed Mississippi beneath his heel in February 1864, and who chillingly boasted to Washington that "Meridian … no longer exists."

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x