Which Union General is known for implementing the strategy of total war?

William T. Sherman is known for implementing the strategy of total war during the American Civil War, particularly through his famous "March to the Sea." This strategy involved not only engaging enemy forces but also targeting civilian infrastructure and resources that supported the Confederate war effort. Sherman believed that by destroying supplies, railroads, and other vital assets, he could undermine the Confederate military's ability to sustain itself.

His approach aimed to break the will of the Southern population to continue fighting, making it a psychological as well as a physical strategy. This was famously exemplified during his campaign from Atlanta to Savannah in 1864, where his troops marched through Georgia, causing widespread destruction. Sherman's strategy marked a significant departure from traditional warfare, which typically focused on battles between armed forces rather than the broader impact of war on society and economy.

Other generals, such as Ulysses S. Grant, did engage in aggressive strategies, but it was Sherman who fully embraced the doctrine of total war in a systematic manner, focusing on both military and civilian targets to expedite the end of the conflict.