Was Total War, and the Siege bad?

The North put a Siege, and started to do Total War on the Confederates. Total War destroyed all civilian and military resources. I think that it was kind of necessary because I thought back then that the Confederates were terrible. I despised what they stood for. I do think that what the Union did was a little harsh. I wouldn't have killed all of those innocent people, but they got what they deserved. It was a good strategy to win the war. Maybe just dial it down next time. Kill the soldiers not innocent people. If I was a Union  general, I would do the same thing, but only to the Confederate soldiers.