Or, is its continual discussion designed to further the both sides were bad, War of Northern Aggression narrative post war? I could honestly see both being true.
This question has been answered in this sub before, though the answers are all quite old by now, so maybe it's deserving of an updated, more comprehensive answer.
Until then, and unless someone else chimes in, you may be interested in these earlier threads:
/u/johndeville answered the question "I've always been interested in the topic of William Techumseh Sherman's campaign to the sea, but have heard of conflicting reports of atrocities that were committed during that campaign. Is there any sources that provide whether these atrocities / immoral actions actually happened?"
/u/eighthgear answered the question "What was the extent of atrocities or violence against civilians committed by the union troops during the March to the Sea?" with help from LordKettering.
/u/nilhaus answered the question "Sherman's March to Sea has been criticized for destruction and robbery, yet I haven't read anything mentioning rape by Union soldiers, was this issue really as inconsequential as I'm assuming?"