Civil War Bummers

Bummers were soldiers in Sherman’s army during its March to the Sea and march through South Carolina.  The term most likely originated with the German word “bummler” which meant an idler or scoundrel.  Sherman’s soldiers adopted it as a means of intimidation.   The purpose for Sherman’s March was, according to Sherman, to “make Georgia howl”.  When the army reached South Carolina, the birthplace of secession, it was unofficially aimed at revenge.  Bummers were the main pain-inflicters.  Technically bummers were examples of the traditional foragers.  Foraging involved an army living off the land by “requisitioning” supplies from civilians.  Depending on the general, discipline varied through the ages.  Sherman’s foragers were sent out in small groups headed by an officer.  They were under orders not to trespass in homes, use offensive or threatening language, and to leave a reasonable amount to the family.  If the area had witnessed guerrilla activity, the gloves were off.  However, the foragers needed little excuse to clean out Rebel families and vandalize their property.  Most officers looked the other way.  In a sense, it was an offensive scorched earth policy.  And a very effective one.  Sherman’s March convinced most Southern civilians that the war was lost because the Confederate army could do nothing to protect them from depredations.

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Civil War bummers – Library of Congress