Total War and How it Effected Civilians

In the south during the Civil War the Union soldiers decided to use strategies for example a siege which blocks off all the souths resources which also let's nothing leave or come in. I think this was bad but it was necessary to win the war. They also used a total war strategy which meant burning their houses and everything around it. This affected everyone at it was very bad and hardcore. I think they should of not have used the total war strategy at all and use the siege strategy but less hard core. In my opinion these war tactics aren't justified but sometimes you have to sacrifice things to win wars. In my opinion it is not justified to let woman and kids starve or die but maybe the Union could of targeted just the army camps instead which would justified in my opinion.