I mean, they were marching through Georgia down the heart of the deep south, I kind of doubt that supply trains would be able to just follow them in. And if they did, would they be moving fast enough to catch up with the troops at a consistent rate? Because Sherman's march lasted a few months if I remember correctly, do I doubt they could have carried all of their provisions with them for that amount of time, like ammo and rations. Or was stealing food and other supplies from southern cities and towns part of the whole total war kind of scheme they had going on? How did they do it? I'm just curious
Sherman deliberately cut himself off from his supply train to engage in the March to the Sea. This was the big risk, the unconventional stroke of genius that made the campaign so decisive.
Sherman's force was organised around three columns whose planned path was designed that each could 'forage' without getting in the way of the other. Columns were organised with fighters and foragers so this supply was organised. With most men off at war, and no armed force to defend them, he had the countryside at his mercy.
Sherman's move completely wrong-footed the Confederate army opposed to him, under the increasingly insane John Bell Hood. Hood's force stood south and west as Sherman's army struck south-east, and indeed Sherman barely needed to fight.
The March lasted about a month and was completely successful: the farms of the area were productive and well-stocked. In wartime rural dwellers and landowners frequently hoard and it is a recurring theme that war torn nations will have an urban population subject to rationing and shortages, while those in the countryside eat well.
Source: Southern Storm: Sherman's March To The Sea, Noah Andre Trudeau.