Why was General Sherman afraid of the south?

General William Tecumseh Sherman was not necessarily "afraid" of the South, but he was deeply aware of the challenges and complexities posed by Southern society during the Civil War. He understood the resilience and determination of Southern forces and the potential for guerrilla warfare, which could prolong the conflict. Sherman's strategy of total war, particularly during his famous March to the Sea, was aimed at breaking the South's will to fight by targeting not just military targets but also infrastructure and civilian resources, reflecting his recognition of the South's social and economic resilience.