“Your press despatches of the 21st embrace one from Macon, of the 14th, announcing the arrival of the first train of refugees from Atlanta, with this addition, ‘that they were robbed of everything before being sent into the rebel lines.’ Of course, that is false; and it is idle to correct it so far as the rebels are concerned, for they purposed it as a falsehood, to create a mischievous public opinion. The truth is, that during the truce, 446 families were moved South, making 705 adults, 860 children, and 479 servants, with 1,651 pounds of furniture and household goods on the average for each family, of which we have a perfect recollection by name and articles. At the end of the truce, Colonel Warner, of my staff, who had general supervision of the business, received from Major Clan, of General Hood’s staff, the following letter:
“ ‘Rough and Ready, Sept. 21, 1864.
“ ‘Colonel: Our official communications being about to close, you will permit me to bear testimony to the uniform courtesy you have shown on all occasions to me and my people, and the promptness with which you have corrected all irregularities arising in our intercourse. Hoping at some future time to be able to reciprocate your courteousness, and in many instances your positive kindness, I am, with respect, your obedient servant,
“ ‘U. T. Clan, Major and A.-G.-G. Gen. Hood’s Staff.’
“I would not notice this, but I know the people of the North, liable to be misled by a falsehood calculated for special purposes, and by a desperate enemy, will be relieved by this assurance, that not only care, but real kindness has been extended to families who lost their home by the act of their male protectors.
“(Signed) W. T. Sherman,
“Major-Gen. Commanding.”
The congratulations of the heroic, devoutly Christian General Howard, who is equally at home in the Sabbath school and in the smoke of battle, will add to the interest of the records of this eventful time:
“It is with pride, gratification, and a sense of Divine favor, that I congratulate this noble army upon the successful termination of the campaign.
“Your officers claim for you a wonderful record—for example, a march of four hundred miles, thirteen distinct engagements, four thousand prisoners, and twenty stands of colors captured, and three thousand of the enemy’s dead buried in your front.