The National tribune., 1899-11-16

Unite1 States and such civilian employees
as may be retained by the proper depart
ments of the Government. = The
same military principles will apply TO all
military posts south Of Atlanta"
This order fell upon the ears Of the in
habitants of the city like a thunderbolt.
They had never imagined that the war
would reach Atlanta. Mayor J. NJ. Cal
houn and E. E. Rawson and L. c. Wells,
Councilmen, protested. Sherman, how
ever, replied to their petition tersely:
You might as well appeal against
the thunderstorm as against these terrible
hardships of war. They are inevitable,
and the only way the people of Atlanta
can hope once more to live in peace and
quiet home, is tostop this war, which can
alone be done by admitting that it began
in error and is perpetuated in pride. We
don't want your negroes or your horses,
Or your houses, or your land, or anything
you have; but we do want, and will have, a
Just obedience to the laws OF the United
States. That we will have, and if it in
wolves the destruction of your improve
ments, We can not help it. Now
that war comes home TO you, you feel very
differently; you deprecate its horrors, but
'
of soldiers and ammunition, and nodded
shot and shells to carry war into Kentucky
and Tennessee, and desolate the homes OF
hundreds and thousands Of good people,
who only asked to live in peace at their
old homes, and under the Government Of
their inheritance"
Hood, too, entered the arena against
Sherman, whose measure he styled "un-
l,I.,.+ +.IT Il, Ia. 81
of God and humanity, protest, believing
you are expelling from homes and fire.
sides wives and children of brave people. ,"
The latter, in his characteristic manner.
made reply, and says in conclusion: IF
we must be enemies, let us be men, and
fight il out as We propose to-day, and not
deal in such hypocritical appeals to God
and humanity. God will Judge us in due
time, and he will pronounce whether it will
be humane TO fight with a town full of
women and the families of brave people
at our back, or TO remove them in time to
places Of safety among their own friends
and people,"
During the truce 446 families were moved
southwark, comprising over 700 adults,
$50 children, and 10 servants, with an
average Of 1850 pounds of furniture and
household goods of all kinds 10 each family.
Below give extracts from letters written
home, under dates of Sept. 13 and 26, 1864,
as follows:
81 suppose you have heard ere this OF the
great victory which crowned our arms in
the capture Of the rebel stronghold. After
four months of fighting, skirmishing.
digging, and marching from Tunnel Hill
TO Jonesboro, we defeated the enemy, and
compelled them to give up Atlanta Our
corps is encamped near the Augusta Rail- /
road, six miles east of the Gate City,
and not so very far from where, less than
two months since, Hoods vets attempted
10 catch our left wing, under the lamented
Mcpherson, in the air. Every
regiment and battery in this army has the
privilege Of inscribing Atlanta on its ban
ners. Yes, proud may be that father.
mother, brother, sister, or wife, who can
say that they had son, brother or hus
band in that army under the brave Sher,
man"
Hurying from Richmond 10 the West.
Jefferson Davis visited his army. conversed
with his Generals, and gave his orders for
Their future government. To the army he
promised that their feet should again press
the soil of Tennessee. To the citizens he
ayowed that within 30 days the barbarous
invader would be driven from their terri
tory. The retreat Of Sherman from At
lanta, he said, should be like Napoleon's
from Moscow. ] here quote from the Cen
tury War Book" page 260: "Forewarned,
L took immediate measures TO thwart his
plans. One division was sent back TO Rome
another to Chattanooga; the guards along
our railroad were reinforced and warned
OF the coming blow. Gen. Thomas was
sent back to the headquarters of his De
partment at Nashville, * while
remained in Atlanta to await Hoods
initiative"