What led up to general Shermans order of 40 acres?

General Sherman's order of 40 acres stemmed from the desire to provide land to formerly enslaved individuals following the Civil War. In January 1865, during his march through the South, Sherman met with Black leaders and recognized the need for economic independence for freed slaves. This culminated in Special Field Order No. 15, which allocated confiscated land for settlement. The intent was to empower freedmen by giving them a means to sustain themselves and their families.