After the victory at Vicksburg, Grant is called east to combat Lee’s army and to capture Richmond. Grant becomes the first eastern union commander who truly understands the North’s major economic and population advantage. By 1864, Grant is aware that the Confederacy cannot replace its resources, such as manpower and supplies, at the same pace as the Union. Therefore Grant endures casualties in order to inflict pain on the enemy.

On July 4, 1863, Grant captures the Mississippi city of Vicksburg, the final major turning point of the war. With Vicksburg, the Union controlled the Mississippi River, cutting off Texas and the other western Confederate states from the power base in the East. The Texas border with Mexico and the port of Galveston were the only semi-reliable way around the Union blockade, further starving the South of a source of badly needed supplies.

After working through numerous commanders, Lincoln finally finds the general who shares his view on how to fight the war. Grant is a controversial choice for Lincoln. He had an unremarkable military career before the war and a reputation for abusing alcohol. Moreover, his style of fighting not only maximized the casualties of the enemy, but also his own men. Many people called him a "butcher." In response to this criticism, Lincoln said, "I like him. He fights."

Like Grant, Sherman understands that the South must be cowed into submission. He states that "War is hell" and he intends to make the entire Southern population—civilian and military alike—feel the sting of combat. In what will become known as "Total War," Sherman decides that any resource he finds in the South is a potential resource to support a Southern army. Therefore, as he marches across Georgia to Savannah and up the eastern seaboard, he has his men destroy whatever cannot be used.

Sherman's most infamous application of "Total War" is his March to the Sea. He begins the march by burning Atlanta to the ground. His army then consumes every resource in sight on a diagonal path from Atlanta to the city of Savannah on the Gulf of Mexico. Sherman promises to "make Georgia howl" and his men prove up to the task.