Did Sherman's strategy for his march to the sea influence both the military and civilians?

On the March to the Sea in late 1864, Sherman's troops often discovered that the Georgian civilians didn't like the war, and were often cooperative with the Yankees. They blamed the war on South Carolina, which they said had dragged them into the conflict, and told Sherman they hoped he'd go burn down Charleston and Columbia. "All in good time," the General replied (more or less). Governor Brown of Georgia didn't like the war either, and withheld most of his state militia from the Confederate army. When Sherman got to Savannah, he treated the citizens very well, and many were grateful to be spared further conflict.