Life and Military Career of Major-General William Tecumseh ShermanHeadley, P. C. (Phineas Camp)
History
Life and Military Career of Major-General William Tecumseh Sherman
Headley, P. C. (Phineas Camp)
Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891
The message addressed to the enemy contained the following words, which
were like oil to the fire on the defeated General’s smothered wrath:
“All citizens are required to leave Atlanta and proceed either South or
North. The Government will furnish transportation South as far as Rough
and Ready, and North as far as Chattanooga. All citizens may take their
movable property with them. Transportation will be furnished for all
movables. Negroes who wish to do so may go with their masters. Other
male negroes will be put in Government employ. Negro women and children
will be sent out of the lines.”
The rebel General sent his indignant protest against the determination
of General Sherman to send the disloyal people of Atlanta where their
friends could support them. How well he talks of God and humanity!
“HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE, }
OFFICE CHIEF OF STAFF, _Sept. 9, 1864_. }
“Major-Gen. SHERMAN, _Commanding United States Forces in Georgia_:
“GENERAL: Your letter borne by James W. Ball and James R. Crew,
citizens of Atlanta, is received. You say therein, ‘I deem it to
be to the interest of the United States, that the citizens now
residing in Atlanta should remove,’ &c. I do not consider that I
have any alternative in the matter. I, therefore, accept your
proposition to declare a truce of ten days, or such time as may
be necessary to accomplish the purpose mentioned, and shall
render all the assistance in my power to expedite the
transportation of citizens in this direction. I suggest that a
staff officer be appointed by you to superintend the removal
from the city to Rough and Ready, while I appoint a like officer
to control their removal further South; that a guard of one
hundred men be sent by either party, as you propose to maintain
order at that place; and that the removal begin on Monday next.
“And now, sir, permit me to say that the unprecedented measure
you propose transcends in studied and ingenious cruelty all acts
ever before brought to my attention in the dark history of war.
“In the name of God and humanity I protest, believing that you
will find that you are expelling from their homes and firesides
the wives and children of a brave people.
“I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. B. HOOD, General.
“_Official_—A. MCHUMMETT, Lieutenant, &c.”
Accompanying the above letter was one addressed to Colonel Calhoun,
Mayor:
“HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE, _Sept. 9, 1864_.
“Hon. JAMES H. CALHOUN, _Mayor_:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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