Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-10-05

HEADa'Rs MILITARY DIVISION -s
OF TUE MISSISSIPPI.
In the Field, Atlanta, Ga,
Sept. 9, 1854.
Gen. j. B. Hood, Commanding Army Of
Tsnnessee-C0ntederats Army:
GENERAL:-I have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt of your letter OF
this date, at the bands of Messrs. Bail and
Crew, consenting to the arrangements |
had proposed to facilitate the removal
South of the people of Atlanta, who pre-
fer to 90 in that direction. | enclose you
copy of my orders, which will, am sat
istied, accomplish my purpose perfectly.
You style the measures proposed "nnpre-
cedented and appeal to the dark history
of war for parallel, as an act of "studied
and ingenious cruelty" 1t is not Hnpre-
cedented, for Gen. johnson himself, very
wisely and properly, removed the families
all the way from Dalton down, and l see
no reason why Atlanta should be ex-
cepted.
Nor is it necessary to appeal to the dark
history of war, when recent and modern
exam pies are so handy. You yourself
burned dwelling houses along your para
pct, and | have seen to-day fifty honses
that Won have rendered uninhabitable be-
cause they stood in the way of your forts
and men. You defended Atlanta on
line so close to town that every cannon
shot, and many musket balls from our line
of investment that overshot their mark,
went into the habitations of women and
children. Gen. Hardee did the same at
Jonesboro', and Gen. Johnston did the
same last summer at Jackson, Mississippi
l have not accused you of heartless cruel
ty, but merely instance these cases Of very
recent occurrence, and could 60 on and
enumerate hundreds of others and chal.
lenge any fair man to judge which of ns
has the heart of pity for the families OF
brave people.
say that it is kindness to these fam
lilies Of Atlanta to remove them now, at
once from the scenes that women and chill
dren should not be exposed to, and the
brave people should scorn to commit their
wives and children to the rnde barbarlans
who thus, rs you say, violate the laws OF
war, as illustrated in the pages of its dark
history.
In the name OF common sense, ask
you not to appeal to a just God in such a
sacriligous manner. You, who in the
midst Of peace and prosperity have plum
ged nation into war, dark and cruel war,
who dared and badgered rs to battle, in
suited our flag, seized our arsenals and
forts that were left in the honorable Gus.
tody of peaceful ordnance sergeant, and
seized and made prisoners of war, the very
garrsons sent to protect your people
against negroes and Indians.
Long before any overt act was commit
ted by the, to you, hateful Lincoln govern
ment, you tried to force Kentucky and Mis-
souri, into rebellion in spite of themselves,
falsifed the vote of Louisiana, turned
loose your pirates to plumber unarmcd
ships, expelled Union families by thou
sands, burned their homes and declared by
an act of your Congress the confiscation
of all debts due Northern men for goods
had and received.
Talk thus to marines, but not to me, who
have seen these things and who will this
day make az much sacrifice for the peace
and honor OF the Sonth, as the best born
Southerner among you. If we must DO
enemies let us be men, and fight it out as
VIC propose to do, and not deal in such
hypocritical appeals TO God and humanity.
God will Judge us in due time, and he will
pronounce whether it will be more hu
nane to fight with town full of women
and tho families of a brave people at our
backs, or to remove them in time, to
places of safety among their own friends
and people.
nm very respectfully,
Your obedient servant.
(Signed W. T. SHERMAN,
Official copy: Major General.
ErII. B. WADE, A. D. c.
GEN. sHERMAN's LErrEs CONCERNING TIN
EXlLEs.
1lEADo'Rs. MILITARY DIVISION
OF THR MISSISSIPPI.
In the Field, Atlanta, Ga,
Sept 10, 1864.
Special Fold Order 40. 7O.l
l.. Pursuant to an agreement between
Gen. ]. B. Hood, commanding the Con
federate forces in Georgia, and Mai. Gen
W. L. Sherman, commanding this army
truce is hereby declared to exist from
daylight Of Monday, Sept. 18th, until day
light Thursday, Sept. 92d, being ten no
full days, at the>point on the Macon Rail
road, known as Rough and Ready, ant
the country around about for circle O
two ~ miles radius, together with tn
roads leading to and from in the directio,
Of Atlanta and Lovejoy station, respect
fully, for the purpose Of atfffording the nee
pie OF Atlanta safe means Of removal t
points South.
II. The Chief Quartermaster at Atlant,
Col. Esston, will afford all the people {
Atlanta, who elect to 60 South, ull the f:
c'lities he can spare to remove them CON
+. .ortably and safely, with their effects, t
Is Aoush and Ready, using cars and wagon