What led up to general Sherman's order of 40 acres and a mule for former slaves

African-American slaves believed that they should be given land that they worked on so that they could be free and have their own land and make their own produce. This is why Sherman made the promise of 40 acres and a mule, however, they didn't get it. All of the land was given back to the previous owners of the land and the African-Americans were given wages for their work.