“Atlanta, Sept. 26.
“The following, which belongs to the testimonials from the authorities at Atlanta, has just been received in communication; and in conclusion of the subject, I send you a copy of the mayor’s letter.
“W. T. Sherman.
“ ‘Atlanta, Sept. 20.
“ ‘On leaving Atlanta, I should return my thanks to General Sherman, General Slocum, General Ward, Colonel Colburn, Major Beck, Captain Mott, and other officers, with whom I have had business transactions in carrying out the orders of General Sherman for the removal of the citizens, and in transacting my private business, for their kindness to, and their patience in answering the many inquiries I had to make on the duration of the delicate and arduous duties devolving on me as mayor of this city.
“ ‘Respectfully, James M. Calhoun.’ ”
Similar testimony appeared in the columns of rebel newspapers. The next quotation is from the Macon Telegraph: “Refugees report generally kind personal treatment from General Sherman and his officers. Whatever exceptions may have occurred have been in violation of orders—instances of individual pilfering, which cannot always be prevented in an army, and in many cases have been detected and punished.
“A friend, whose wife was left an invalid in Atlanta, and came within our lines a day or two since, says, that at her request General Sherman came to see her, and finding her unable to attend to the arrangement of her movables for transportation, had them all bound up nicely and transported to our lines, even to her washtub.
“The Federal general had three hours’ conversation with her, and justified at length his order for the removal, insisting that in his exposed position, liable to be cut off and besieged, it was the part of humanity to require that non-combatants should not be exposed to the privations and perils to which his army must probably be subjected; and worse, because he could not provide food for a large population. Goods left behind were stored and duplicate receipts given, with the promise that they should be safely returned.
“Refugees report that Sherman’s army is going North by thousands, and his force is now very small. Whether this movement is confined to men going out of service, or embraces reënforcements to Grant, they were unable to say.”