Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1888-10-25
SOLDIERS DEPARTMENT.
SURRENDER OF ATLANTA.
A Glimpse of General sherman as He APP
peared to Southern Eyes.

bones that CLEANED like so many white
horrors in the fierce sunlight, the little
band with the flag of truce rode on, the
Major at the head. They passed the
rifle-pits and entertainments of the
enemy. Not human being, not liv
ing thing was in sight. Two, three,
four miles, and not a sign of the enemy.
A sudden turn in the road brought them
face to face with marching detach.
ment of men in blue. A brief halt, 6
hurried explanation. A Federal Colonel
rode up to the spot and asked a few
questions. The white flag, the appear
ance CT tae strangers in citizens garb,
and the calm, measured words of Mayor
Calhoun satisfied the officer. and an
orderly was at once detailed to guide
the visitors to the commanders camp.
When the mayor and his friends were
introduced to General Sherman they
saw before them a man of forty-five
who looked fully ten years older. His
bronzed face, scanned with lines of care,
and his eyes told tale OF sleepless
nights. His wrinkled brow and his
rough, closely trimmed beard, together
with his weather-beaten field uniform,
made him look like anything but hol-
iday soldier, and his appearance con.
trasted strikingly with the glitter and
faring colors of the imposing staff
around him.
Still there was an air OF leadership
and command about this man. and the
messengers from Atlanta would have
picked him out among a million. There
was nothing stately or dignified about
him. His face showed that it had never
been a handsome one, and his head,
phenomenally large and bullying at the
top, sloped precipitately down to the
neck at its back The peculiar shape Of
this remarkable head had caused many
of the officers at the beginning Of the
war TO insist that its owner was mem
tally unbalanced; but our followers OF
the white flag did not waste any time in
such idle speculations. They saw Slo-
GUMS corps moving rapidly onward,
and not moment was to be lost in
stating their business.
The stern commander, after search
ing scrutiny of the faces before him,
looked down at the ground, while
Mayor Calhoun quietly informed him OF
the helpless condition Of the city, and
briefly surrendered it on condition that
life, liberty and private property should
be protected.
Then the General looked up again,
and in a curt. business-like way said
that he would grant the conditions re-
quested He said that the civil author
tiles had taken the proper course in
seeking him. and expressed the hope
that their relations would be pleasant
and satisfactory
"But this is war, you know" he said
in his abrupt way, yes, confound it,
this is war, and must place your town
under martial law That won't hurt
good citizens. but it will play the devil
with the bad ones
Now that we have surrendered, . re-
marked one Of the citizens, you viii
probably come in at once?"
The General daited quick glance at
him.
Come inn he answered, Il think
some Of my men are already there
they are marching in that direction as
fast as they can walk
With few words Of parting the com
mittee started to return.
zone word more, said sherman. 81
suppose ii is understood that none OF
your people will fire upon my sol
diersP"
He was assured that nothing of the
kind would occur, and the mayor and
the others then rode back TO the city,
entering it with the advance guard of
the Federals only few hundred yards
behind them.
Shortly after midday the streets were
blue with companies and regiments OF
Federals.
All night the wagons and troops were
moving into the city, and the next day
the place was crowded. There were
billiard-rooms and neutrality-suspicious.
over some Of the stores, and bills we're
out advertising a minstrel show for that
night on Decatur street.
A dozen Generals occupied the best
houses. in some cases compelling the
original occupants to move into other
quarters. General sherman established
himself very comfortably in the present
high-school building on the corner of
Mitchell and Washington streets, and
engaged for a housekeeper an old lady
who two days before had been denounc-
ing him as savage for whom even the
worst fate was too good. The two got
along very agreeably. and in less than
a week the housekeeper told her friends
that the General was the Meet man in
the world. and had been shamefully
slandered. Atlanta Consolidation.
STONEWALL JACKSON.
A Tannfon fsfassl Man said To Have Fired