The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-09-30
THE WAR IN GEORGIA.
Sherman,s Letter to the Rebel Hood
-..A Nut for Our Dear Southern

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Sept. 21.-
The following is the reply of Gen. Sher-
man to Gen. Hoods charge of studied and
ungenerous cruelty, and which was re-
ceived in Washington to day:
HEADQRs MILITARY DIV. OF THE Miss,
ATLANTA, Ca, Sept. 10, 1864. :
Gen. J. B. Hood, Commanding army of tie 7ess-
nessee, Confederate Army:
GKsKRAL-I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter OF this date at the
to the arrangements have proposed to facl-
itate the removal South of the people of At
lanta, who prefer to go in that direction len
close you copy of my order which will, am
satisfied, accomplish my purpose perfectly.
You style the measures proposed unprece-
dented, and appeal 10 the dark history Of war,
for parallel, as an act of studied and ungen-
erous cruelty. 1t is not unprecedented, for
Gen. Johnston himself very wisely and prop
erly removed the families all the way from
Dalton down, and see no reason why Atlanta
should be excepted. Nor Is it necessary to ap-
peal to the dark history of war when recent
and modern examples are so handy-you your
self burned dwelling houses along your para
pet, and have seen to-day lighthouses that
You have rendered uninhabitable because they
stood in the way of your forts and men.
You defended Atlanta on line SO close to the
town that every cannon shot, and many musket,
showed from our line of ENHANCEMENT that
overshot their mark, went into the habitations
of women and children. Gen. Hardee did
the same at Jonesboro, and Gen. johnson did
the same last summer at jackson, Mississippi
/ have not accused You of heartless cruelty,
but merely instance those of very recent o.
currence, and could enumerate hundreds OF
others, and challenge any fair man to judge
which Of US has the heart of pity for the faIni-
lies of q brave people.
l say 1t is o Kindness TO these families Of At
lanta 10 remove them now at once from scenes
that women and children should not be expos
ed to, and the brave people should scOrn to
commi their wives and children to the rude
barbarians who thus, Us you say, violate the
laws of war "a illustrated in the pages Of It's
dark history.
In the name Of common sense I ask you not
to appeal to just God in such sacrilegsous
manner. You who, in the midst of peace and
prosperity, have plunged nation into civil
war-dark and cruel war; who dared and
badgered US to battle; insulted our flag; SELF
ed our areenals and forts, that were left In hon.
orable custody; seized and mad prisoners OF
war the very guardians sent to protect your
people against the Indians and negroes. long
before any overt act was committed by the, 70
you, hateful Lincoln government. You tried
to force Kentucky and Missouri into the rebel
lion In spite of themselves; falsihed the vote
of Louisiana sent privateers to plumber I'M
armed ships; expelled Union families BY the
thousand, burned their houses, and declared
by an act of your Congress the confiscation of
ali debts due Northern men for goods. Yon
NAV talk this to the marines, but not to me
who have seen these things and who will this
dav make as much sacrifice tor the peace and
honor of the South rs the best born Southerner
among you.
fight it out as we propose to-day, and not deal
ia such hypocritical appeals to God and hu-
manity God will Judge rs In due time, and
he will pronounce whether It be more human
to fight It with town full of women and the
families of brave people at our back, or to
remove them In time to places of safety among
their own friends and people. Jh
am, very respectfully, your 0bt servant,
w. T. SHERMAN,
Major General Commanding.
Official copy: L. N. DAYTON. A. D. c.