The Union and journal., 1864-09-30
General Sherman.

On the lth Of this month the authorities
OF Atlanta addressed letter 70 Sherman ask
Ing him to reconsider his order removing the
peopic OF that city. TO which the General
makes reply. The reader will not fail to see
that Sherman docs not excel alone in fighting.
Observe the manly, straightforward, CON-
mon sense, bristl,ng like bayonets from every
word-the energy Of a strong brave man who
means, not only subjugation. but extirpation
to the whole race, unless they will acknowl
edge the authority Of the United States. He
pities their distress and appreciates the sui.
fering to DO occasioned by their removal {;
''and yet shall not revoke my order, simply
because my orders are not designed to meet
tho humanities Of the case, but to prepare
for tho future struggles in which millions OF
good people outside of Atlanta have deep
interest"
Again he says, 1--WE must have peace, not
only hero, but in all America" 1--WE don't
want your negroes or..your horses, or your
houses or your land, or anything you have
but wo do want and will have just obedi-
coce to the laws Of the United States.
THAT WE WILL HAVE, and il it involves
ths destruction Of your improvements, we
cannot help it'' Brave words. and spoken
like tho statesman and warrior that he is !.
The whole letter will DO read with interest,
and here it is:
HEADQUARTERS MlLrrARr DyisroS or2
rHE MISSISSIPPI, IN rus FIELD, =
ATLANTA, Ga. Sept. ~. 1854. }
James NJ Calhoun, Mayor, T.. T.. Rarsoa
ani = e.. Wells, repressating City Council
Of .fiiaaia:
GsxrLsNEs III have your letter Of the llth
in the nature of petition 10 revoke my orders
removing oil the Inhabitants frJm Atlantis. l
have read Il carefully. and give full credit to
your statements VI the distress that win be oc-
casionet by u, and yet shall not revoke my or.
der, simply because my orders are not designed
to meet the humanities Of the case, but to pre-
pare for the future struggles in which millions,
yea, hundreds Of millions Of good people out.
side OF Atlanta have deep interest. HIemusi
Aars peace, not only at .9iianta, but ia all
.fmsried. To secure this We must stop the war
that now dcsolaies our once happy and favored
country. To stop rar re must dStsat the re6-
81 armies that are arrayed aaainst the iaws
and Coasfifufion, whieh all mast respect aud
vbev. To defeat the armies wc must prepare
the way 10 reach them in their rccesses, provid.
cd with tho arms and instruments which enable
us 10 accomplish our purpose.
Now, know the vindictivc nature OF our
enemy. and that we may have many years OF
military operations from thisquartcr, and there
fore deem Il wise and prudent TO prepare in
time. The use of Atlanta for warliks purposes
70 inconsistent with its character ~ home for
families. There viii be no manufactures, COM
merce ar agriculture here for the maintenance
Of families, and sooner or later want will COM
pei the Inhabitants 10 60. Why not 60 nop,
when AL the arrangements are completed for
the transfer, instead Of waiting till the plung-
Ing shot OF coutending armies will renew the
scene OF the past month"; or course I do not
apprehcnd any such thing ut this moment, but
you do not suppose that this army will be here
ill the war u over. cannot discus, this sub-
ject with you fairly, because cannot impart 10
you What propose to do, but rassert tbat INV
military plans make u necessary for the inhab.
itants to 20 away, and can only renew nv Of
for OF services TO make their exodus In any an.
rection a. easy and comfortable as possible.
You cannot qualify war In harsher terms than
Iwrll.
War is cruelty, and you cannot reineit; and
those who brought war ON our country deserve
all the curses and malsdictiJns people can
pour out. know l had no hand in making
this war. and know will make more sacri-
foes to-day than any OF you to secure peace.
Bat you eannof hgre peace aud dirisioH of
oar country. II the United States submits 10