, 1864-01-13
GEN. SHERMAN ON THE WAR,
His Views Of The Negro Qucs-
11oa.
L SPICY LETTER no MISSISSIPPI
REBELS

When Gen. Sherman was in command Of
the army ut Black River, Mississippi, num-
ber Of wealthy planters held a meeting, at
which they drew up petition, setting forth
a number Of grievances, and prayingfo1 re-
lief. They statcd that their property had
been destroyed or carried away by the SOL
diers, their negroes enticed into the army,
and themselves, and their families left dcsti-
tutc oaproyisions. The following is q copy
of tie Generals reply to the petition:
HEADQUARTERS 18TH ARnr CoErs,
CANT on D10 BLACK, Sept. Z, 1869.
Il. W. Hill, Esq. Chairman OF Meeting Of Citizens
Of Warren county, Miss.:
SIR: The communication addressed to Gen.
Grant, myself and other officers, In the nature
Of q petition, is received. I think 1t proper
Warren coun ;, and, indeed, Of the whole
State Of Mississippi, should meet in their ca
Tncity Us citizens to talk over matters, 60
that they may takc any steps they deem to
their interest; and If such meetings be open,
aud With The knowledge Of the nearest mill
go engaged. Your preamble, however, starts
out with mistake. I do not think any nation
ever undertook to feed, supply aud provide
for the future ofthe 1nhab abitants Of IN insur-
gent district. We have done SO here and In
other instances Of this war, but my reading
know of any, will thank you for copy Of
the history which records them. / know 1t
Is the purpose Of the controlling Generals Of
this wnr to conduct it on the most humane
principles Of either ancient or modern times;
and, according to them, contend that after
tie firing on our steamboats, navigating our
own rivers, after the long and desperate re-
eistance to our armies ut Vicksburg, On the
Tazoo aud in Mississippi generally ne are
justified in treating III the Inhabitants as
combatants, and would be perfectly justified
in transporting you III beyond the seas, if tue
orr purpose is not to change the population
Of this country, but to compel oil the inhab-
itant6 10 acknowledge and submit to the COM
mon laws of the land. When au or part of
tic Inhabitants acknowledge the Just rights
Of the United States, the war us to them
ceaEcs.
o.sss But IN I will reply to your questions in the
]: The duty Of the Government to protect,
aud OF lie Inhabitants to assist, is reciprocal
The people Of Warren county have not assIst-
cd the United States much, as yet, and are,
therefore, not entitled to muck protection.
spend much on their own conduct.
Z. The negroes, former slaves By Inherit
ancc or purchase. that now I'LL the country,
hare been turned loose upon the world b
thc!r former owners. who, By rcbelling
against LEU oMy catlnly power that Insured
them the riehtful possession Of such proper
ty, have practically freed them. Thev are
poor, ignorant class Of human beinrs. that;
appeM TO all for full measure Of forbeor-
ance. The task for providing for them Mt
present dcyolres upon the United States- re-
cause CT noesAitatt the Unitet, States succeeds-
by act Of war, to the former lost title Of thn
master, This task is most difficult one. md
needs time for Development and execution.
The white Inhabitants Of the country
must needs be patient, and allow time
for the work, In due SEASON the negroes ut
Roach's and Blake's will bc hired, employed
by Tie Government, or removed to camps
where tEcy can be conveniently fed but, in
tic mean fime, no one must modest them, or
interfere with The agents of the United
States intrustcd with this dihcult and deli
catc taxi II any Of them are armed, It Is
for ec1t-dcfcnse; and If they mistake their
Just relation to the Government or the peo-
pie, nc will soon impress on them the truth.
s. Your third inquiry, is embraced in the
above ] don't know tbct any fixed and de-
termipcd plan is matured, but some just and
proper provision will be made for the negro
population Of this State.
4. Congress alone. can appropriate public
money. We cannot hire servants for tho peo-
pie who have lest their slaves, nor can we de-
tni1 EeErccs for such purposes. You must do
Il wc do-lire your own servants and pay
LIEN. If they don't earn their Lire, discharge
tEcn1 end employ others. Many havo d.
ready done this, and are satisfied with the re-
suits.