<P> General Sherman continued to serve in various capacities throughout the war, but without distinction . His abrasive personality made him difficult to work with, so he was shunted off to lesser commands . He lost his right leg in combat at Port Hudson . </P> <P> After a Union victory, Confederate Brigadier - General Thomas F. Drayton directed the evacuation of rebel forces from Hilton Head Island to the Bluffton mainland . Occupying Port Royal Harbor, the Union's South Atlantic Blockading Squadron could then be monitored by rebel lookouts disbursed from Bluffton's substantial picket headquarters . Bluffton's geographic location resulted in it being the only strategic position on the east coast where the Confederates could gather direct intelligence on the Union squadron, which conducted crucial blockade operations along the southern coastline in the aftermath of the battle . </P> <P> General Drayton proved to be incompetent in the field, so he was put in various administrative positions . </P>

What was the strategic significance of the union capture of port royal