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
“We of the North are, beyond all question, right in our lawful
cause, but we are not bound to ignore the fact that the people
of the South have prejudices, which form a part of their nature,
and which they cannot throw off without an effort of reason or
the slower process of natural change. Now, the question arises,
should we treat as absolute enemies all in the South who differ
from us in opinion or prejudice, kill or banish them; or, should
we give them time to think, and gradually change their conduct
so as to conform to the new order of things, which is slowly and
gradually creeping into their country?
“When men take arms to resist our rightful authority, we are
compelled to use force, because then all reason and argument
fail. When the provisions, horses, mules, wagons, etc., are used
by the enemy, it is clearly our duty and right to take them,
because otherwise they might be used against us.
“In like manner, all houses left vacant by an inimical people
are clearly our right, or such as are needed as storehouses,
hospitals, and quarters. But a question arises as to dwellings
used by women, children, and non-combatants. So long as the
non-combatants remain in their homes and keep to their
accustomed business, their opinions and prejudices in nowise
influence the war, and therefore should not be noticed. But if
any one comes out into the public streets and creates disorder,
he or she should be punished, restrained, or banished either to
the rear or front, as the officer in command adjudges. If the
people, or any of them, keep up a correspondence with parties in
hostility, they are spies, and can be punished with death, or
minor punishment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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