The weekly union record., 1864-10-01
THE UNION RECORD.
OROVILLE, SATURDAY, 0CTT. 1st
A Severe and Pungent Reply.


The following is the reply Of Gen. Sherman
to The rebel Hoods charges Of cruelty in re-
moving the women and children from Atlanta.
I, is good reading Tor those Northern men who
are continually pratipg about the cruelty and
oppression of LincOln's Government bat have
no word Of condemnation for JET. Davis and
bis band Of outlaws:
GENERAL l have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of vour letter of this date conserving
to the arrangements proposed, to facilitate
the removal south Of the people of Atlanta who
prefer to go in that direction ] inclose you a
copy Of nv order, which viii, am satisfied
accomplish nv purpose perfectly. You style
the measures proposed unprecedented appeal
to the dark history of war for q parallel, and
speak of the act as one of studious aud ingeni
Gus cruelty. General Johnston wisely and
properly removed the families all the way from
Dalton down. l see no reason why Atlanta
should be excepted. Nor is it necessary to
appeal to the dark history of war when recent
modern examples are so handy. You, yourself
burned dwelling houses along your parapet. l
have seen to day fifty houses you rendered un
uhabilable because they stood in the way Of
your forts aud men, You defended Atlanta on
a line so close o the town that every cannon
shot and many musket shots fred from cur line
Of inirenchmenis, that overshot their mark,
went into the habtations OF women aud chill
dren. Hardee did the same at Jonesboro
Johnston did the same last summer a. jackson
(Mississippi). | have not accused you of
heartless cruelty. | merely instance these
IF I
merate hundreds Of others. and challenge any
fair man to Judge which of Us has heart of
pity for the families of brave people. say
il is kindness 10 the families Of Atlanta 10 re-
move them now at once from the scenes women
and children should not be exposed to. A
brave people should scorn to commit their
wives aud children to the rude barbarities of
war and lis dark history. In the name OF
common sense | ask you not to appeal 10 just
God in such q sacriiegious manner: you who,
10 the midst of PEACE and prosperity. plunged
this uation into civil war-a dark and cruel
war who dared and badgered US 10 battle,
insUlted our flag, seized our arsenals and forts.
that were left il your honorable custody; seized
and made prisoners of war OF the very guardians
sent TO protect your people against the Indians
aud negroes long before any overt act was
cohliDi'Cu among yCu ny ne Lincoln Oovern-
ment." You tried TO force Kentucky and
Missouri into rebellion in spite of themselves :;
ialsi6ed the vote Of Louisiana sent privateers
to pluuder unarmed ships; expelled Union
families by thousands, burned their houses, and
declared by Act Of Congress the confscation
Of all debts due Northern men for their goods
You may talk this 10 he marines, bpt not 10
me, who have seen these things, and who will
this day make as much sacrifice for the peace
and honor OF the South Us the best born
ooutherner among You. II We must be enemies,
let US be men aud fight it oat as We propose
to day, and not deal in such hypocritical
appeals TO God and humanity. God will judge
Us in due time, and lie will pronounce whether
it be more humaue TO fight with town full Of
women and The families of brave people at
cur back or % remove them in time to places
Of safety among their own friends aud people.
w T. SHERMAN