The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1865-03-03
A Letter from Gen. Sherman.


a letter written By Gen Sherman, and
which reveals the character of the man in
most acceptable manner, is just publish.
ed. 1t is riyats letter written in camp,
ye: it relates to public affairs, and, what
is no! less important, is reveals the inter
nature Of man who forms, at this day,
the most conspicuous figure in our his
tory: ... ....... .-......
MARIETTA, GA, June 80. 1864.
Mrs. -Anna Gilman Bouen, Baltimore,
Nd: ..... .......
DEAR MADAA-Your welcome letter Of
June 18Th came to me here amid the
sound Of battle; and, as you say, little did
| cream, Nbe. knew you playing a.
school girl Oh Sullivan's Island beach, tha
. should control vast army, pointing,
ike the swarm IF Aiaric, toward tie
plains OF the south.
Why, oh, why is this IL know my
own heart, j. beats as warmly as ever to
ward those kird and generous families that
greeted US with such warm hospitality in
days long past, but still present in men,
oTy: and to-day, were Frank and Mrs.
Porcher, aud Eliza Gilman, and Mary
Lamb, and Margaret Blake, the Barks>
daes, the QGashis, the Drydas-indeed,
any and ali OF our cherished circle. their
children or even their childrens children,
10 come /" ne as Of Old, the stern feelings
Of Guy and conviction would melt as
snow before th, genial sum- and | believe
| would strip my own children that they
might he sheltered and yet they call me
barbarian, vandal and monster, and all The
ePithe;s language can invent that are sig
niticant Of u.ailguiLy aud hate.
All } pretend to say, on earth as in
heaven, man must submit to some arbiter
lie mus; not throw cff his allegiance to hi.
government or his God without just reason
and cause. The south bad 90 cause-not
even pFeteXt. Indeed, BIZ her unius,ti-
able course she has thrown away the proud
history OF the past, and laid open her fair
ccuLtIy 10 tie tread If devastating war
She baEterei an.l hulied US to the conflict
Had We declined battle America would
nave sunk back, coward and craven. mer-
ting the contempt Of sii mankind. As a
uauon, We were forced to accep. battle
aud thst once begun, it has gone on till
the war has assumed proportions at which
even we, III the riy-burly, sometimes
stand aghast. | would not su jngate tue
south IN the sense sc ctlensivelv assumed
but would make every citizen Of the land
obey the common law, submit: 10 the same
that We do-no worse 10 better-our
equals aud net our superiors.
| know, and YOU know, that there were
young meh IN ouT daY, now no longer
youtg, but who control their fellows, who
assumed 10 the gentlemen Of tie south a
aupe lorIty OF courage and manhood and
ooa>GL-tt GeleG Us Of northern birth to
arms. God knows how reluctantly we
accep pted the issue; but once the issued
j>'nea, ike in other ages, he northera
race tiough SLOW 20 anger. are more terri
be than tie more irfamabe of tie south
Even YET ny hear, bleeds when | see the
calnage nl battle, the des ISOLATION Of homes.
tue bitter anguish Of families, but the very
moment lhe men OF the south say that in
stead OF appealing to war they shoula
have appealed to reason, TO our congress.
to eur courts, to religion, and to the ex-
perence OF history, then will say Peace
-Ieace; go tack to your poin, Of error,
and resume your places as American cti,
zens, with all their proud heri'ares.
Whether shall live to see this period
Is prob ematical but you may, and NAV
tell your mothers and sisters that | never
forgot one kind look or greeting, or ever
wished 10 etIdce its remembrance: but in
putting on the amor Of war | did il that
our common couLtry should not perish in
lntamy and dishonor. arn married have
a wife and SIX children living 10 Lancaster,
Ohio. My courte has been An eventful
one, but | hope when the clouds of anger
aud passion are dispersed, and.t,u,h erner
Ges bright ana clear, you, and all who
kne" me In cary years will not blush
that We were once dear friends. Tell Eliza
Tor me that | hope she may live to realize
that The dUctriue OF secession is as
monstrous in our civil code as disobedience
was n the divine law And should the
fortunes of war ever bring you or your
SISTERS or any Of our old clique under the
shelter Of my authority, do net believe
they will have cause to regret it, Give
my love to your children, and the assure
ance OF my respect to your honored hus-
band.
Truly, W. T. SHERMAN.