The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-09-13
Tuf SURRENDER OF ATLANTA.
A Glimpse of Gen. sherman as He APP
uaared to Southern Eyes.


A Glimpse of Gen. sherman as He APP
peared to Southern Eyes.
Beyond the red clay fortress-over
the fragments of army wagons and
caissons, with eyes averted from the
skulls and bones that cleaned like so
MANY white horrors in the fierce sun
lioht. the little band with the flag of
truce rode on. the Mayor at the head.
They passed the rife-pits and entrench-
ments of the enemy. Not human
being, not living thing was in sight.
Two, three, four miles, and not sign
of the enemy. A sudden turn in the
road brought them face to face with
marching detachment of men in blue.
A brief halt, a hurried explanation.
A Federal colonel rode up to the spot
and asked few questions. The white
flag, the appearance of the strangers
in citizens garb. and the calm, meas
ured 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 Gen. Sherman they saw
before them man of forty-five who
looked fully ten years older. His
bronzed face, scanned with lines OF
care, aud his eyes told a tale of sleep
less nights His wrinkled brow and
rough, ciosely-trimmed beard, together
with his weafher-beaten field uniform,
made him look like anything but a
holiday soldier, and his appearance
eontrasted strikingly with the glitter
and faring colors of the imposing staff
around him.
Still there was an air of leadership
and command about the 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 handsome one, and his
head, phenomenally large and bulg-
ing at the top, sloped preeipitately
down to the neck at its back. The pc
culiar shape of this remarkable head
had caused many officers at the begin
ming of the war oinsist that its owner
was mentally unbalanced, but our fol-
lowers of the white flag did not waste
any time in such idle speculations.
They saw Slocum's corps moving rap
idly 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 upon condi-
lions that life, liberty and private prop
erty should be protected.
Then the General looked up again. and
In curt, business-like way said that
he would grant the conditions request
ed. He said that the civil authorities
had taken the proper course in seeking
him, and expressed the hope that their
relations would be pleasant and satis-
factory.
But this is war. you know" he said
in his abrupt way, Eyes. -- 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, +"
remarked one of the citizens, ''you will
probably come in at once?"
The General darted quick glance
at him.
'.Come I'M" he answered, II 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
committee started to return.
Lone word more" said Sherman.
Il suppose it is understood that none
of your people will fire upon my sol.
diersp"
He was assured that nothing of the
L. nd m Ma a
the others then rode back To the city,
the Federals only Il few hundred yards
behind them.
Shortly after midday the streets were
blue with companies and regiments ot
Federals.
All night the wagons and troops were
movin" into the city, and the next day
the place was crowded. There Were
billiard-rooms and drinking saloons
over some of the stores, and bills were
out advertising minstrel show fol
that night on Decatur street
A dozen generals occupied the best
houses, in some cases compelling the
original occupants to move into other
quarters. Gen. Sherman established
himself very comfortably in the pres
ent 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 de
nouncing him. as savage for whom
even the worst fate was too good. The
two got along very agreeably, and il
less than week the housekeeper TOLD
her friends that the General was the
incest man in the world, and had beer
shamefully slandered. atlanta Consti
tuition.