The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-02-10

The progress Of Sherman through
Georgia is said, by correspondent Of
South Carolina paper, to have been much
less destructive than was at first de-
scribed. The writer, consolingly, says {:
"IIayinS trayelcd over part Of the section Of
the country through which General Sherman passed
from Atlanta to Savannah, I thought would give
you brief account of the effect produced upon it,
and also give statement as to the method of travel
to the West by way Of Macon. One, III passing
through the district through which Sherman's
route was, is at encc struck with the fact Of the
great exaggeration in reference to the destruction
of property by the enemy. In fact with the excep-
ton Of a few burnt houses and bad roads, there
are no other visible signs Of hostile arny ever
having passed through the country. Mills factories
and houses were spared, and but few dwellings,
burnt. It is true that some OF oil OF them were
DESTROYED, but then the inhabitants allege that it
was done by struggling parties; nor did meet one
person who thought that any commanding officer
was party to the arson; but. to the contrary,
every citizen who asked, on the approach Of the
army. for protection, was furnished with guard.
Neither did tho enemy destroy all the pro-
visions in the country, but left plenty for
a years subsistence. heard Of no man in a dis
tance of some forty miles who had everything taken
from him. It is true they helped themselves to
horses, mules and provisions as they needed them,
taking away large number OF hogs and kne, buS
in no instance family left destitute and totally
in want But few negroes were taken on, compara-
tiyely and but few of these were compelledto to go
some Of which have been permitted to return, ana
20 loose were they in their discipline, that many
have run away and returned to Their masters. Inc
shove statement accords with what have heard III
reerance to other sections OF the country through
which Sherman passed. Indeed, have heard per-
sons who were living i'll the ne'ghborhood OF Atlanta
and even between Dalton aua At1ahta sEase !hey
we're much surprised at the small extent OF injury
thew had sustained at the hafScs OF the enemy. IN
connection with this statement, and what We oally
hear from Savannah, Is 1t not reasonable 70 sup
pose that Sherman has lnaugutateu NC" Poify ~,
that of leuency to the people, in order to win them
back TO the Unioni II not so, II lscertAnly e'ea.
relief to have an enemy who IS so dlferent 10 many
others, who is possessed OF maniin 'ss seheI1sly
and humanity nsomuch as 70 respec' .ne
ness of those in his power, and TO extend sucn
protection TO suffering humanity as 70 preVen, 'o'
destitution. Another fact 1t may Dc woI.n tnc M
while to state which Is upon inquiry, ,ounn ~ ~
newho heard General sherman a oa Wy restrnn ri.
men, but in South Carolina he couf1 not 49, 49,
not" It is true, thiAremark was lnaoe Iei uon.J
but always by the common soldiery anu NV scR g.
tains who wcre i possible, a'uS ~ dwellings, &C.
am forced to the conviction that even oou' ~ H.
lima Is ever so unfortunate as to oe oVe.rn un s
enemy that Sherman and his comma!n4MnsC ~ Cn-.,;a o
And if he fails to create Union feeling m tns a
country-if by his present course, Is nls y
do, and in which he has failed in dcorg1amsun asd
do not believe the people OF sontn % hr the enemy
than thar W what tie citizens Of Georgia have already
| suffered"
We are surprised that the writer should
impute sinister motives to Genera
Sherman. His determination procla'
nations at various points OF th'
Southwest, his wholesale banishment o
the population Of Atlanta, and tho DILL
liant illuminations he got up in that city