“[Official copy:] L. M. Dayton, Aide-de-Camp.”
The conquering chief humanely gives the rebels time to depart, declaring a truce of ten days:
“Headquarters Military Division Mississippi, }
In the Field, Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 10, 1864. }
“1. Pursuant to an agreement between General J. B. Hood, commanding the Confederate forces in Georgia, and Major-General W. T. Sherman, commanding this army, a truce is hereby declared to exist from daylight of Monday, September 12, until daylight of Thursday, September 22—ten (10) full days—at a point on the Macon Railroad known as Rough and Ready, and the country round about or a circle of two (2) miles radius, together with the roads leading to and from, in the direction of Atlanta and Lovejoy station, respectively, for the purpose of affording the people of Atlanta a safe means of removal to points South.
“2. The Chief Quartermaster at Atlanta, Colonel Easton, will afford all the citizens of Atlanta who elect to go South all the facilities he can spare to remove them comfortably and safely, with their effects, to Rough and Ready station, using cars and ambulances for that purpose; and commanders of regiments and brigades may use their regimental and staff teams to carry out the object of this order; the whole to cease after Wednesday, 21st instant.
“3. Major-General Thomas will cause a guard to be established on the road out beyond the camp-ground, with orders to allow all wagons and vehicles to pass that are used manifestly for this purpose; and Major-General Howard will send a guard of one hundred men, with a field officer in command, to take post at Rough and Ready during the truce, with orders in concert with a guard from the Confederate army of like size, to maintain the most perfect order in that vicinity during the transfer of these families. A white flag will be displayed during the truce, and a guard will cause all wagons to leave at 4 p. m. of Wednesday, the 21st instant, and the guard to withdraw at dark, the truce to terminate the next morning.
“By order of Major-General W. T. Sherman.
“L. M. Dayton, Aide-de-Camp.”
The letter of the authorities of Atlanta, referred to by Hood, and his reply, are as follows: