Sherman began his Carolinas Campaign on February 1, 1865, by advancing into South Carolina. By February 17, his forces had captured Columbia, the capital of the Palmetto State, which was consequently razed to the ground. This pillaging and plunder during the dead of winter was arguebly the worst war crime in North America. Many thousands of people were left without food or shelter at the worst time of year and suffering most of all were the slaves. This should be taught in every public and private school during Black History Month, but instead, American children get indoctrinated with sour pablum like the benevolence of Abe Lincoln and his false credit for freeing slaves. Only the slaves that survived the wrath of Honest Abe's army lived to enjoy freedom.