Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-09-30
GEN. sHERMAN's REPLY TO GEN.
HOOD.
PLAIN TRUTHS FoRoIBLY PUT.

WAsHINeroN, Sept 2i
Gen. shermsn's reply to Gen. Hoods re-
cent charge Of " studied and uugenerous cru
city," was received in Washington wednes.
day, and is as follows;
Gen. j. h. Hood
/ have the honor to acknowledge the re-
ceipt Of your letter Of this date, concerning
the arrangements l had proposed to facilitate
the removal south Of the people Of Atlanta
who prefer to 20 in that direction. ! enclose
you a copy Of my orders. which will, am
satisfied, accomplish my purpose perfectly -
You style the measure proposed "unprece-
dented, and appeal to the dark history OF war
for a parallel as an act Of "siudied and un-
generous cruelty" 1t Is not unprecedented
for Gen Johnston himself, very wisely aud
properly removed families al the way from
Dalton down, aud see no reason why At
lanta should be excepted. Nor is it necessary
to appeal to the dark history Of war when
recent and modern examples are so handy, you
yourself burned dwelling houses along your
parapet, and have seen to-day fifty houses
that yon have rendered uninhsbitscle because
r they stood in the way of your forts aud men.
You defended Atlanta on a line so close 10
the town that every cannon shot and many
m0sket shots from our lines OF investment
that over-shot their mark vent into the habit
ations OF women and children. Gen. Hardee
dad the same at Jonesb boro and Gen. Johnston
did the same last summer at Jackson, Miss.
have not accused you Of hesrtess cruel
~, but merely instance those cases Of very
recent occurrence aud could 20 on and emu
merate hundreds Of others and challenge any
lair man to Judge which of us has a heart OF
ply for the families OF brave people say
It Is kindness to these families Of atlanta to
remove them at once from scenes that women
and children should not be exposed to. And
brave people should scorn to commit their
wives and children to rude barbafians who
thus as you say violate the laws of war as H.
lustrated in the pages Of its dark history.
In the name OF common sense ask you
not to appeal to just God in such a
sacrilegious manner. You, who in the
midst Of peace and prosperity has plunged d
nation into civil war, dark aud cruel war;
who dared and badgered US to battle, insult
ed our flag seized our arsenals and forts that
were left In honorable custody Of peaceful ord
nance sergeants; seized and made prisoners
Of war the very Rarr.sons sent to protect
your people against negroes ana Indians,
long before any overt act committed oy
the to you hateful Lincoln government !;
tried to force Kentucky and Mississippi into
?. bellion 10 spite Of themselves falsifed the
vote Of Louisiana turned loose your pri-
vateers 10 plundet marined ships expelled
Union families by the thousands, burned their
houses and declared by act Of your congress
conhsoation of all debts due northern men
for goods had and received. Talk .hus to
the marines. but not to me, who have seen
these things, and who will 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 oe men, and
fight it out, as we propose to-day, and not
deal 10 sucn hypocrtical appeals to God and
humsnlty. God will judge US in due time.
aud he will pronounce whether it be more
humane to fight with a town full Of women
''of brave people" a, our back or to remove
them in time to places Of safety among their
own friends and people.
l am very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
W. I. SHERMAN.