Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-09-30
Gen. sherman's Reply to Gen. Hood

Gen. Sherman's Reply to Gen. Hood
General Sherman having announced that
all non-combatants must leave Atlanta with
in a specified time, because Atlanta was to
he made military post solely, offering IA
eilitits for their removal, Gen. Hood wrote
a letter to Gen. Sherman, accusing him Of
''studied and ungenerous cruelty, and ap-
pealing to Heaven to judge Of the case as it
deserved, &c. zen. Sherman It piled as ioi-
lows
Gen J. Z. Hood have the honor TO ac-
knowledge the receipt o. your letter Of this
date, concerning the arrangements had pro
posed 10 facilitate the removal south Of the peo-
pie OF Atlanta, who prefer 10 20 in that dIrec-
non. | enclose YOU 4 copy Of my orders. which
viii, am satisfied, accomplish my purpose per
fectly. You style the measure proposed ''un-
precedentei, aud appeal To- the dark history Of
war for parallel As an act Of ''studivI and
uugeuerous cruelty" Il Is not unprecedented,
for Gen. Johnston himself very ws-ly and
properly removed tmiles 81 the way from Dali
ton down. and ] see no reason why Atlanta
should he excepted Nor l. il necessary 90 ap-
peal 10 the dark history Of war when recent ali
modern examples are 50 handy; you yourself
burned dwelling houses along your parapet, and
have seen today MY houses that yoa have
rendered uuiuhabitatle because they stood IN
the way OF your forts and men. You defended
Arauta on a line 50 close TO the town that every
cannon shot anI many musket shots f-vm 4ur
line Of investments that oyer-shot their m'rk
went into the habitauon OF women and children.
l. Y. q
Gen Johnston d.d the same last summer az
jackson. Miss.
have not accused you Of hetrtl-ss era ,y,
but merely instance IN, - ca>cs OF very recent
occmr. nee aud could 60 ou aud euumerat, nuu-
drgds OF others and challenge any fur m go 20
judge which Of Us has heart Of pity ial tae
families Of "braye people say It il kiniuess
L. these families Of Atlanta Co remove them 40
once from scenes that women and children
should not be exposed to- Aud brave people
should scorn 10 commit their wives and children
TO rude barbarians who thus as you say violate
the laws Of war As illustrated in the pages OF It's
dark history
In the name Of commou-sense ask you not 20
appeal 10 ii Just God in such a sacrilegiogs mIu-
ner. You, who IN the midst Of peace and pros
perity have plunged nation INTO civil war,a DARK
and cruel war who dared and badgerei u Co
bdfle, luSulteu our AZ selLcl our AIstiai' anu
forts that were left IN honorable custody of
peaceful ordnance sergeants seized and made
prisoners Of war the very glrris1ns sent 10 pro-
tect your people against negroes and Indians,
long before any overt act was committed by the
to You hateful Lincoln government tried 10
force Kentucky and Mississippi into rebellion in
spite OF themselves falsfed the vote Of LOUIS
lana ; turned loose your priyateers TO plumber
marined ships expelled Union families by the
thousands, burned their houses and declared by
act of your congress coniscation Of all debts due
northern men for goods had and received. Talk
thus TO the Marines but not 10 me, who have
seen these things, and who viii this day make as
much sacrifice for the peace and honor Of the
South as the best born Southerner among you.
If We must be enemies let US be men and fight
it out. AS We propose to-day, and not deal in
hypocritcal appeals to God and humanity. God
will Judge US in due time, aud he will pronounce
whether it be more humane to fight with town
iull of women "of brave people at our back,or
to remove them in time to places Of safety
among their own friends and people.
am, very respectfully,
Your obedlent servant,
W. T. SHERMAN.