Question

How did the Union army gain supplies during Sherman's March to the Sea?

Answer 1

Foraging, a polite term for looting the countryside.

Explanation:

Foraging was made popular by Napoleon, the Armies just before the Napoleonic era had extensive supply trains. During the American Civil War supplies were shipped by rail to the troops. This saved the local people from suffering from "foraging" and the troops from local lack of suitable supplies. The areas Sherman was marching through were largely settled and were a major source for Confederate supplies. By laying waste to this Confederate farming area it destroyed a large part of the Confederate supply system.