The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1886-04-08
BLOODY PAPERSl.
NUMBER XIII.

"If fired upon from the forts or build
ings of Atlanta. no consideration Will be
paid to the fact that they are occupied by
families, but the place must be cannon
AIDED without the formality of a de-
mand."-Ge7l. She7naa1JS Field Orders,
July 10, 1864.
To those who saw the beautiful city of
Atlanta, Georgia, disfigured as it was to
some extent by shot and shell, this order
may have cruel or heartless sound. Evl-
dences of taste and refinement abounded
everywhere throughout the city. The
flower-gardens, the beautiful shrubbery.
the neatly arranged homes, all had an air
of peace and homelife, in strange con-
trast with the spirit of the order above
quoted. Yes, and in equally strange con-
trast with the dug-outs, or "gopher-holes, y
as we called them, that formed part of
the landscape surrounding every home.
These people-residents of the fated city
were compelled to provide some means of
temporary protection from the missiles
of Shermans guns. We recollect as
though it were yesterday, the camp we
occupied, near large Seminary for girls.
After the occupation of the city this fine
building bore striking evidence of the
accuracy of our gunners. A large shell
had struck the building, tearing great
hole in it. This building which had been
the temporary home and fountain of in
struction for the innocent young woman
hood of that section of country had been
visited by the terrible reality of cruel,
desperate war; the place where lessons
of love and peace had been taught, pierced
through and through by the dread instru-
ment of death! And some private resi-
dences were stricken by shot and shell.
When the cannonading became danger
Gus to life within the city, those non-com-
batants remaining within the besieged
city were compelled to seek safety in the
temporary cellars or caves, upon their
premises. This state of things had of
course been contemplated by the Union
Soldiers for months-in fact, in the win
ter of 1868, at Chattanooga, every private
soldier knew that the next winter would
find Atlanta in our possession, or our Ar
my utterly defeated. and driven back.
But the people within the city did not
perhaps conceive the idea Of such thing
being possible.
All along this exciting journey-strewn
with the graves of brave men of both
sides, the one Army had retreated, and
the other pursued. Town and city had
been brought under the fire of the fierce
battle-storm, farm-houses had become
untenable, and families sent fugitives
from their homes. The march had been
a march of triumphant a march of
death. In it's course homes had been
built, and improved, and beautifed, with
feeling of perfect security-for our laws
were abundantly strong and numerous to
protect every home, as well as every indi-
vidual. Surely this great Nation could
never permit its citizens to be endangered
in their enjoyments of "life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness
But it seems that the signal gun, and
the bugle-call awoke these people with
startling suddenness, from their dream of
security and happiness. Beautiful
grounds were torn up to make earth
works for the protection of the sons of
the South in their struggle for their homes.
All around the beautiful city was line
of works that told sad story of the
'wickedness of mankind, All was chang
ed. The balmy breezes of Georgia bore
the fierce scream of the shell, and the pit
eous groan of the dying soldiers. The
Southrons fell back in haste to the city,
followed by the long, firm line of blue
What haste the Southrons were in may
be judged from cartoon drawn by jol-
ly Johnny, on small shed near the Chat
tahoochee, representing Rebel running
at full speed, pursued by "Yank" with
fixed bayonet. A streamer from the Reb-
els mouth contained the words Come
on, Yanks, we're hell-bent for the Gulfp'
The terrible storm swept back, until the
pretty city looked like f1ower-garden af
ter hail-storm. The character of the
men in his front and the character of the
work in hand, made it imperative that
Sherman should issue the order to can
nonade without questioning, when with
in range. And cannonade they did
both sides cannonaded. Many were killed,
others crippled for life, the health of 9TH
erS shattered. What for? What evil
thing had this beautiful city done to
bring this dreadful storm of war to it's
doors? There comes floating upon the
South-winds the answer: She was doing
penance at the shrine of Democracy; she
was sacrificing all for the privilege of
Democracy; she was giving up beauty,
wealth, life itself, for the hopeless and
wicked schemes of Democratic Conspira-
tors; she was writing in blood for the
young men of to-day, the story of Demo-
cratic perfidy. The lesson is sad one,
but should be needed, and turned to prof.
table account