Conclusion

When Sherman and his army marched into Goldsboro in March of 1865, he had a different plan for the city. With the security perimeter set up around Goldsboro, the citizens of the city lived a completely different lifestyle than those throughout the South and on the outskirts of Goldsboro. The way Sherman and his army treated the citizens of Goldsboro showed that the Union was looking for a conclusion to the war, and was hopeful that with their occupation of a well-known Union loyal state, they would be able to bring a somewhat peaceful ending to the war. They essentially tried to portray that in Goldsboro by setting up the security around the city to let the citizens know that they were hopeful for peace and wanted that to be known. This came to be true of the citizens within the city, however it cannot be said of those in the outskirts of Goldsboro. Those outside of Goldsboro were left to fend for themselves, and take whatever measures necessary to make them secure by their own means, whether that meant revolting like the small group in Pikeville, or hiding valuables like that of the Hicks family. They wanted to feel secure for themselves since they could not have access to the security in the city of Goldsboro. 

Citizens of the city cooperated well with the Union forces that occupied Goldsboro. Some sought to take advantage of the security that was put in place by having their own individual guard placed at their homes. Others were dependent on the perimeter to provide security for them. Schofield and his troops did a great job of protecting the citizens and the infrastructure of the city. They were kind to the citizens, and in turn many of them noticed this kindness and responded with cooperation to the needs of the Union occupation. While they did have supplies and things taken from them, they lived a somewhat normal life that paralleled their lifestyle before the Union took over Goldsboro. Another reason why they were so cooperative could also be attributed to the fact that 100,000 plus troops occupied a small city like Goldsboro at one time. The intimidation factor of that was enough to force citizens to comply with the demands of the Union army, if the way they were being treated wasn't enough. A possible revolt in the city was next to impossible with such a large number occupying it. The fear of having their city destroyed by the large army was enough to keep the Confederate loyalists of Goldsboro at bay while the Union forces occupied it. They knew that one incident could result in their hometown and lives being destroyed and living a far much worse life than the one they had grown to know during the weeks that Sherman occupied Goldsboro. In this respect Sherman did effect the morale of the Confederate citizens. He had successfully instilled enough fear with his reputation and large army to keep the Confederate loyalists in check. 

Citizens of the city were not so lucky. While they were essentially free to proclaim their Confederate loyalty, it often time ended with repercussions. Since they had no means of securing their livelihood, they had to take chances to secure themselves and their valuables from the bummers of the Union army. Morale in the outskirts was certainly different than the city. They were not as hopeful as those in the city. They had to grapple with danger constantly, while trying to maintain a lifestyle that could sustain them, and unwillingly provide for the Union forces that sought to pillage their goods. They were not guaranteed the same safety as the city, and therefore they were always fearful of a potential attack on their property. In this regard Sherman was successful in changing the lifestyles and the morale of the Confederate hopefuls outside of Goldsboro. 

In closing, it appeared that Sherman seemed to be playing both sides of a war. He sought to exhibit a sense of peace within the city by setting up the Schofield security perimeter; while at the same time enforcing his will on the citizens outside of the city. He seemed to see those in the outskirts as more of a threat to his progress through the South. He sought to exhibit peace in the city, which exemplified he was ready for the war to be over, while in the outskirts his troops still fought on like they had done the entire Carolinas Campaign. It also appeared that Schofield's security was successful in protecting the city from pillaging, thus providing a feeling of trust and some comfort throughout the city. While in the outskirts of Goldsboro, citizens could never be comfortable for fear of losing all that they had. This risk was still known throughout the city, but hope seemed to prevail there, with the hope that life could soon return to normal with the end of the Civil War and a reconciliation with a Union that some never wished to leave in the first place.