It definitely was not pretty or nice. Nor could it be done if he had “imbedded” journalists who would report immediately every atrocity. However it effectively broke the rebellion and there were no further political or military resurrections in the area where he conquered. The same cannot be said of the Iraq campaign. The consequences are now becoming apparent.
The war was over with the fall of Atlanta and Lincoln’s reelection. His actions in Georgia and South Carolina were unnecessary acts of a sadist.