I believe Sherman’s march on and destruction of Atlanta occurred in September 1864, after which he seized Savannah and presented it as a Christmas gift to President Lincoln. The surrender by General Lee occurred in April 1865. Sherman did in no way destroy Atlanta after the surrender. Not sure where you got this from.
Confederate General John Bell Hood made the decision to retreat from Atlanta, ordering all public buildings and possible assets to the Union Army destroyed. On the next day, Mayor James Calhoun surrendered Atlanta to the Union Army, and on September 7, General Sherman ordered the city’s civilian population to evacuate. On November 11, 1864, in preparation of the Union Army’s march to Savannah, Sherman ordered Atlanta to be burned to the ground, sparing only the city’s churches and hospitals.[32]
Sherman, while being a scurvy varmint, knew how to win a war...
One place he did intentionally burn was Columbia, SC to level the home of Gen. Wade Hampton of CSA cavalry.
Now there was a guy (Hampton) who gave all for the cause...
Highly recommend all interested to read his story...