“By order of Major-General W. T. Sherman.
“L. M. Dayton, Aide-de-Camp.”
The message addressed to the enemy contained the following words, which were like oil to the fire on the defeated General’s smothered wrath: “All citizens are required to leave Atlanta and proceed either South or North. The Government will furnish transportation South as far as Rough and Ready, and North as far as Chattanooga. All citizens may take their movable property with them. Transportation will be furnished for all movables. Negroes who wish to do so may go with their masters. Other male negroes will be put in Government employ. Negro women and children will be sent out of the lines.”
The rebel General sent his indignant protest against the determination of General Sherman to send the disloyal people of Atlanta where their friends could support them. How well he talks of God and humanity!
“Headquarters Army of the Tennessee, }
Office Chief of Staff, Sept. 9, 1864. }
“Major-Gen. Sherman, Commanding United States Forces in Georgia:
“General: Your letter borne by James W. Ball and James R. Crew, citizens of Atlanta, is received. You say therein, ‘I deem it to be to the interest of the United States, that the citizens now residing in Atlanta should remove,’ &c. I do not consider that I have any alternative in the matter. I, therefore, accept your proposition to declare a truce of ten days, or such time as may be necessary to accomplish the purpose mentioned, and shall render all the assistance in my power to expedite the transportation of citizens in this direction. I suggest that a staff officer be appointed by you to superintend the removal from the city to Rough and Ready, while I appoint a like officer to control their removal further South; that a guard of one hundred men be sent by either party, as you propose to maintain order at that place; and that the removal begin on Monday next.
“And now, sir, permit me to say that the unprecedented measure you propose transcends in studied and ingenious cruelty all acts ever before brought to my attention in the dark history of war.
“In the name of God and humanity I protest, believing that you will find that you are expelling from their homes and firesides the wives and children of a brave people.