GENERAL:IhavethehonorherewithtosubmitcopiesofacorrespondencebetweenGeneralHood，oftheConfederateArmy，theMayorofAtlanta，andmyself，touchingtheremovaloftheinhabitantsofAtlanta。
Inexplanationofthetonewhichmarkssomeoftheseletters，I
willonlycallyourattentiontothefactthat，afterIhadannouncedmydetermination，GeneralHoodtookuponhimselftoquestionmymotives。Icouldnottamelysubmittosuchimpertinence;andIhavealsoseenthat，inviolationofallofficialusage，hehaspublishedintheMaconnewspaperssuchpartsofthecorrespondenceassuitedhispurpose。Thiscouldhavehadnootherobjectthantocreateafeelingonthepartofthepeople;
butifheexpectstoresorttosuchartifices，IthinkIcanmeethimtheretoo。
ItissufficientformyGovernmenttoknowthattheremovaloftheinhabitantshasbeenmadewithliberalityandfairness，thatithasbeenattendedwithnoforce，andthatnowomenorchildrenhavesuffered，unlessforwantofprovisionsbytheirnaturalprotectorsandfriends。
Myrealreasonsforthisstepwere:
WewantallthehousesofAtlantaformilitarystorageandoccupation。
Wewanttocontractthelinesofdefense，soastodiminishthegarrisontothelimitnecessarytodefenditsnarrowandvitalparts，insteadofembracing，asthelinesnowdo，thevastsuburbs。
Thiscontractionofthelines，withthenecessarycitadelsandredoubts，willmakeitnecessarytodestroytheveryhousesusedbyfamiliesasresidences。
Atlantaisafortifiedtown，wasstubbornlydefended，andfairlycaptured。Ascaptors，wehavearighttoit。
Theresidencehereofapoorpopulationwouldcompelus，soonerorlater，tofeedthemortoseethemstarveunderoureyes。
Theresidencehereofthefamiliesofourenemieswouldbeatemptationandameanstokeepupacorrespondencedangerousandhurtfultoourcause;acivilpopulationcallsforprovost—guards，andabsorbstheattentionofofficersinlisteningtoeverlastingcomplaintsandspecialgrievancesthatarenotmilitary。
Thesearemyreasons;and，ifsatisfactorytotheGovernmentoftheUnitedStates，itmakesnodifferencewhetheritpleasesGeneralHoodandhispeopleornot。Iam，withrespect，yourobedientservant，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—Generalcommanding。
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPI
INTHEFIELD，ATLANTA，GEORGIA，September7，1864。
GeneralHOOD，commandingConfederateArmy。
GENERAL:IhavedeemedittotheinterestoftheUnitedStatesthatthecitizensnowresidinginAtlantashouldremove，thosewhopreferittogosouth，andtherestnorth。ForthelatterIcanprovidefoodandtransportationtopointsoftheirelectioninTennessee，Kentucky，orfarthernorth。FortheformerIcanprovidetransportationbycarsasfarasRoughandReady，andalsowagons;but，thattheirremovalmaybemadewithaslittlediscomfortaspossible，itwillbenecessaryforyoutohelpthefamilesfromRoughandReadytothecareatLovejoy’s。Ifyouconsent，IwillundertaketoremoveallthefamiliesinAtlantawhoprefertogosouthtoRoughandReady，withalltheirmovableeffects，viz。，clothing，trunks，reasonablefurniture，bedding，etc。，withtheirservants，whiteandblack，withtheprovisothatnoforceshallbeusedtowardtheblacks，onewayortheother。Iftheywanttogowiththeirmastersormistresses，theymaydoso;
otherwisetheywillbesentaway，unlesstheybemen，whentheymaybeemployedbyourquartermaster。Atlantaisnoplaceforfamiliesornon—combatants，andIhavenodesiretosendthemnorthifyouwillassistinconveyingthemsouth。Ifthispropositionmeetsyourviews，IwillconsenttoatruceintheneighborhoodofRoughandReady，stipulatingthatanywagons，horses，animals，orpersonssentthereforthepurposeshereinstated，shallinnomannerbeharmedormolested;youinyourturnagreeingthatanycare，wagons，orcarriages，personsoranimalssenttothesamepoint，shallnotbeinterferedwith。Eachofusmightsendaguardof，say，onehundredmen，tomaintainorder，andlimitthetruceto，say，twodaysafteracertaintimeappointed。
Ihaveauthorizedthemayortochoosetwocitizenstoconveytoyouthisletter，withsuchdocumentsasthemayormayforwardinexplanation，andshallawaityourreply。Ihavethehonortobeyourobedientservant。
W。T。SHERMAN，Major—Generalcommanding。
MajorGeneralW。T。SHERMAN，commandingUnitedStatesForcesinGeorgiaGENERAL:Yourletterofyesterday’sdate，bornebyJamesM。BallandJamesR。Crew，citizensofAtlanta，isreceived。Yousaytherein，\"IdeemittobetotheinterestoftheUnitedStatesthatthecitizensnowresidinginAtlantashouldremove，\"etc。IdonotconsiderthatIhaveanyalternativeinthismatter。Ithereforeacceptyourpropositiontodeclareatraceoftwodays，orsuchtimeasmaybenecessarytoaccomplishthepurposementioned，andshallrenderallassistanceinmypowertoexpeditethetransportationofcitizensinthisdirection。Isuggestthatastaff—officerbeappointedbyyoutosuperintendtheremovalfromthecitytoRoughandReady，whileIappointalikeofficertocontroltheirremovalfarthersouth;thataguardofonehundredmenbesentbyeitherpartyasyoupropose，tomaintainorderatthatplace，andthattheremovalbeginonMondaynext。
Andnow，sir，permitmetosaythattheunprecedentedmeasureyouproposetranscends，instudiedandingeniouscruelty，allactseverbeforebroughttomyattentioninthedarkhistoryofwar。
InthenameofGodandhumanity，Iprotest，believingthatyouwillfindthatyouareexpellingfromtheirhomesandfiresidesthewivesandchildrenofabravepeople。Iam，general，veryrespectfully，yourobedientservant，J。B。HOOD，General。
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPI
INTHEFIELD，ATLANTA，GEORGIA，September10，1864。
GeneralJ。B。HOOD，commandingArmyofTennessee，ConfederateArmy。
GENERAL:Ihavethehonortoacknowledgethereceiptofyourletterofthisdate，atthehandsofMessrs。BallandCrew，consentingtothearrangementsIhadproposedtofacilitatetheremovalsouthofthepeopleofAtlanta，whoprefertogointhatdirection。I
incloseyouacopyofmyorders，whichwill，Iamsatisfied，accomplishmypurposeperfectly。
Youstylethemeasuresproposed\"unprecedented，\"andappealtothedarkhistoryofwarforaparallel，asanactof\"studiedandingeniouscruelty。\"Itisnotunprecedented;forGeneralJohnstonhimselfverywiselyandproperlyremovedthefamiliesallthewayfromDaltondown，andIseenoreasonwhyAtlantashouldbeexcepted。Norisitnecessarytoappealtothedarkhistoryofwar，whenrecentandmodernexamplesaresohandy。Youyourselfburneddwelling—housesalongyourparapet，andIhaveseento—dayfiftyhousesthatyouhaverendereduninhabitablebecausetheystoodinthewayofyourfortsandmen。YoudefendedAtlantaonalinesoclosetotownthateverycannon—shotandmanymusket—shotsfromourlineofinvestment，thatovershottheirmark，wentintothehabitationsofwomenandchildren。GeneralHardeedidthesameatJonesboro，andGeneralJohnstondidthesame，lastsummer，atJackson，Mississippi。Ihavenotaccusedyouofheartlesscruelty，butmerelyinstancethesecasesofveryrecentoccurrence，andcouldgoonandenumeratehundredsofothers，andchallengeanyfairmantojudgewhichofushastheheartofpityforthefamiliesofa\"bravepeople。\"
IsaythatitiskindnesstothesefamiliesofAtlantatoremovethemnow，atonce，fromscenesthatwomenandchildrenshouldnotbeexposedto，andthe\"bravepeople\"shouldscorntocommittheirwivesandchildrentotherudebarbarianswhothus，asyousay，violatethelawsofwar，asillustratedinthepagesofitsdarkhistory。
Inthenameofcommon—sense，IaskyounottoappealtoajustGodinsuchasacrilegiousmanner。Youwho，inthemidstofpeaceandprosperity，haveplungedanationintowar——darkandcruelwar——whodaredandbadgeredustobattle，insultedourflag，seizedourarsenalsandfortsthatwereleftinthehonorablecustodyofpeacefulordnance—sergeants，seizedandmade\"prisonersofwar\"theverygarrisonssenttoprotectyourpeopleagainstnegroesandIndians，longbeforeanyovertactwascommittedbythe（toyou）
hatedLincolnGovernment;triedtoforceKentuckyandMissouriintorebellion，spiteofthemselves;falsifiedthevoteofLouisiana;
turnedlooseyourprivateerstoplunderunarmedships;expelledUnionfamiliesbythethousands，burnedtheirhouses，anddeclared，byanactofyourCongress，theconfiscationofalldebtsdueNorthernmenforgoodshadandreceived！Talkthustothemarines，butnottome，whohaveseenthesethings，andwhowillthisdaymakeasmuchsacrificeforthepeaceandhonoroftheSouthasthebest—bornSoutherneramongyou！Ifwemustbeenemies，letusbemen，andfightitoutasweproposetodo，andnotdealinarchhypocriticalappealstoGodandhumanity。Godwilljudgeusinduetime，andhewillpronouncewhetheritbemorehumanetofightwithatownfullofwomenandthefamiliesofabravepeopleatourbackortoremovethemintimetoplacesofsafetyamongtheirownfriendsandpeople。
Iam，veryrespectfully，yourobedientservant，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—Generalcommanding。
HEADQUARTERSARMYOFTHETENNESSEE
September12，1864
Major—GeneralW。T，SHERMAN，commandingMilitaryDivisionoftheMississippi。
GENERAL:Ihavethehonortoacknowledgethereceiptofyourletterofthe9thinst。，withitsinclosureinreferencetothewomen，children，andothers，whomyouhavethoughtpropertoexpelfromtheirhomesinthecityofAtlanta。Hadyouseenpropertoletthematterrestthere，Iwouldgladlyhaveallowedyourlettertoclosethiscorrespondence，and，withoutyourexpressingitinwords，wouldhavebeenwillingtobelievethat，while\"theinterestsoftheUnitedStates，\"inyouropinion，compelledyoutoanactofbarbarouscruelty，youregrettedthenecessity，andwewouldhavedroppedthesubject;butyouhavechosentoindulgeinstatementswhichIfeelcompelledtonotice，atleastsofarastosignifymydissent，andnotallowsilenceinregardtothemtobeconstruedasacquiescence。
IseenothinginyourcommunicationwhichinducesmetomodifythelanguageofcondemnationwithwhichIcharacterizedyourorder。Itbutstrengthensmeintheopinionthatitstands\"preeminentinthedarkhistoryofwarforstudiedandingeniouscruelty。\"Youroriginalorderwasstrippedofallpretenses;youannouncedtheedictforthesolereasonthatitwas\"totheinterestoftheUnitedStates。\"Thisaloneyouofferedtousandthecivilizedworldasanall—sufficientreasonfordisregardingthelawsofGodandman。Yousaythat\"GeneralJohnstonhimselfverywiselyandproperlyremovedthefamiliesallthewayfromDaltondown。\"Itisduetothatgallantsoldierandgentlemantosaythatnoactofhisdistinguishedcareergivestheleastcolortoyourunfoundedaspersionsuponhisconduct。Hedepopulatednovillages，nortowns，norcities，eitherfriendlyorhostile。Heofferedandextendedfriendlyaidtohisunfortunatefellow—citizenswhodesiredtofleefromyourfraternalembraces。Youareequallyunfortunateinyourattempttofindajustificationforthisactofcruelty，eitherinthedefenseofJonesboro，byGeneralHardee，orofAtlanta，bymyself。GeneralHardeedefendedhispositioninfrontofJonesboroattheexpenseofinjurytothehouses;anordinary，proper，andjustifiableactofwar。IdefendedAtlantaatthesameriskandcoSt。Iftherewasanyfaultineithercase，itwasyourown，innotgivingnotice，especiallyinthecaseofAtlanta，ofyourpurposetoshellthetown，whichisusualinwaramongcivilizednations。NoinhabitantwasexpelledfromhishomeandfiresidebytheordersofGeneralHardeeormyself，andthereforeyourrecentordercanfindnosupportfromtheconductofeitherofus。IfeelnootheremotionotherthanpaininreadingthatportionofyourletterwhichattemptstojustifyyourshellingAtlantawithoutnoticeunderpretensethatIdefendedAtlantauponalinesoclosetotownthateverycannon—shotandmanymusket—
ballsfromyourlineofinvestment，thatovershottheirmark，wentintothehabitationsofwomenandchildren。ImadenocomplaintofyourfiringintoAtlantainanywayyouthoughtproper。Imakenonenow，butthereareahundredthousandwitnessesthatyoufiredintothehabitationsofwomenandchildrenforweeks，firingfaraboveandmilesbeyondmylineofdefense。Ihavetoogoodanopinion，foundedbothuponobservationandexperience，oftheskillofyourartillerists，tocredittheinsinuationthattheyforseveralweeksunintentionallyfiredtoohighformymodestfield—
works，andslaughteredwomenandchildrenbyaccidentandwantofskill。
Theresidueofyourletterisratherdiscussion。ItopensawidefieldforthediscussionofquestionswhichIdonotfeelarecommittedtome。IamonlyageneralofoneofthearmiesoftheConfederateStates，chargedwithmilitaryoperationsinthefield，underthedirectionofmysuperiorofficers，andIamnotcalledupontodiscusswithyouthecausesofthepresentwar，orthepoliticalquestionswhichledtoorresultedfromit。Thesegraveandimportantquestionshavebeencommittedtofarablerhandsthanmine，andIshallonlyrefertothemsofarastorepelanyunjustconclusionwhichmightbedrawnfrommysilence。Youchargemycountrywith\"daringandbadgeringyoutobattle。\"Thetruthis，wesentcommissionerstoyou，respectfullyofferingapeacefulseparation，beforethefirstgunwasfiredoneitheraide。Yousayweinsultedyourflag。Thetruthis，wefireduponit，andthosewhofoughtunderit，whenyoucametoourdoorsuponthemissionofsubjugation。Yousayweseizeduponyourfortsandarsenals，andmadeprisonersofthegarrisonssenttoprotectusagainstnegroesandIndians。Thetruthis，we，byforceofarms，droveoutinsolentintrudersandtookpossessionofourownfortsandarsenals，toresistyourclaimstodominionovermasters，slaves，andIndians，allofwhomaretothisday，withaunanimityunexampledinthehistoryoftheworld，warringagainstyourattemptstobecometheirmasters。YousaythatwetriedtoforceMissouriandKentuckyintorebellioninspiteofthemselves。Thetruthis，myGovernment，fromthebeginningofthisstruggletothishour，hasagainandagainoffered，beforethewholeworld，toleaveittotheunbiasedwilloftheseStates，andallothers，todetermineforthemselveswhethertheywillcasttheirdestinywithyourGovernmentorours;andyourGovernmenthasresistedthisfundamentalprincipleoffreeinstitutionswiththebayouet，andlaborsdaily，byforceandfraud，tofastenitshatefultyrannyupontheunfortunatefreemenoftheseStates。YousaywefalsifiedthevoteofLouisiana。Thetruthis，LouisiananotonlyseparatedherselffromyourGovernmentbynearlyaunanimousvoteofherpeople，buthasvindicatedtheactuponeverybattle—fieldfromGettysburgtotheSabine，andhasexhibitedanheroicdevotiontoherdecisionwhichchallengestheadmirationandrespectofeverymancapableoffeelingsympathyfortheoppressedoradmirationforheroicvalor。Yousaythatweturnedloosepiratestoplunderyourunarmedships。Thetruthis，whenyourobbedusofourpartofthenavy，webuiltandboughtafewvessels，hoistedtheflagofourcountry，andswepttheseas，indefianceofyournavy，aroundthewholecircumferenceoftheglobe。YousaywehaveexpelledUnionfamiliesbythousands。Thetruthis，notasinglefamilyhasbeenexpelledfromtheConfederateStates，thatIamawareof;but，onthecontrary，themoderationofourGovernmenttowardtraitorshasbeenafruitfulthemeofdenunciationbyitsenemiesandwell—meaningfriendsofourcause。YousaymyGovernment，byactsofCongress，hasconfiscated\"alldebtsdueNorthernmenforgoodssoldanddelivered。\"Thetruthis，ourCongressgavedueandampletimetoyourmerchantsandtraderstodepartfromourshoreswiththeirships，goods，andeffects，andonlysequestratedthepropertyofourenemiesinretaliationfortheiracts——declaringustraitors，andconfiscatingourpropertywherevertheirpowerextended，eitherintheircountryorourown。Suchareyouraccusations，andsucharethefactsknownofallmentobetrue。
Youorderintoexilethewholepopulationofacity;drivemen，womenandchildrenfromtheirhomesatthepointofthebayouet，underthepleathatitistotheinterestofpourGovernment，andontheclaimthatitisanactofkindnesstothesefamiliesofAtlanta。\"ButleronlybanishedfromNewOrleanstheregisteredenemiesofhisGovernment，andacknowledgedthathediditasapunishment。Youissueasweepingedict，coveringalltheinhabitantsofacity，andaddinsulttotheinjuryheapeduponthedefenselessbyassumingthatyouhavedonethemakindness。Thisyoufollowbytheassertionthatyouwill\"makeasmuchsacrificeforthepeaceandhonoroftheSouthasthebest—bornSoutherner。\"
And，becauseIcharacterizewhatyoucallaskindnessasbeingrealcruelty，youpresumetositinjudgmentbetweenmeandmyGod;andyoudecidethatmyearnestprayertotheAlmightyFathertosaveourwomenandchildrenfromwhatyoucallkindness，isa\"sacrilegious，hypocriticalappeal。\"
Youcameintoourcountrywithyourarmy，avowedlyforthepurposeofsubjugatingfreewhitemen，women，andchildren，andnotonlyintendtoruleoverthem，butyoumakenegroesyourallies，anddesiretoplaceoverusaninferiorrace，whichwehaveraisedfrombarbarismtoitspresentposition，whichisthehighesteverattainedbythatrace，inanycountry，inalltime。Imust，therefore，declinetoacceptyourstatementsinreferencetoyourkindnesstowardthepeopleofAtlanta，andyourwillingnesstosacrificeeverythingforthepeaceandhonoroftheSouth，andrefusetobegovernedbyyourdecisioninregardtomattersbetweenmyself，mycountry，andmyGod。
Yousay，\"Letusfightitoutlikemen。\"Tothismyreplyis——formyself，andIbelieveforallthefreemen，ay，andwomenandchildren，inmycountry——wewillfightyoutothedeath！BetterdieathousanddeathsthansubmittoliveunderyouoryourGovernmentandyournegroallies！
Havingansweredthepointsforceduponmebyyourletterofthe9thofSeptember，Iclosethiscorrespondencewithyou;and，notwithstandingyourcommentsuponmyappealtoGodinthecauseofhumanity，Iagainhumblyandreverentlyinvokehisalmightyaidindefenseofjusticeandright。Respectfully，yourobedientservant，J。B。HOOD，General。
ATLANTA，GEORGIA，September11，1864
Major—GeneralW。T。SHERMAN。
Sir:Wetheundersigned，MayorandtwooftheCouncilforthecityofAtlanta，forthetimebeingtheonlylegalorganofthepeopleofthesaidcity，toexpresstheirwantsandwishes，askleavemostearnestlybutrespectfullytopetitionyoutoreconsidertheorderrequiringthemtoleaveAtlanta。
Atfirstview，itstruckusthatthemeasureworldinvolveextraordinaryhardshipandloss，butsincewehaveseenthepracticalexecutionofitsofarasithasprogressed，andtheindividualconditionofthepeople，andheardtheirstatementsastotheinconveniences，loss，andsufferingattendingit，wearesatisfiedthattheamountofitwillinvolveintheaggregateconsequencesappallingandheart—rending。
Manypoorwomenareinadvancedstateofpregnancy，othersnowhavingyoungchildren，andwhosehusbandsforthegreaterpartareeitherinthearmy，prisoners，ordead。Somesay:\"Ihavesuchaonesickatmyhouse;whowillwaitonthemwhenIamgone？\"
Otherssay:\"Whatarewetodo？Wehavenohousetogoto，andnomeanstobuy，build，orrentany;noparents，relatives，orfriends，togoto。\"Anothersays:\"Iwilltryandtakethisorthatarticleofproperty，butsuchandsuchthingsImustleavebehind，thoughIneedthemmuch。\"Wereplytothem:\"GeneralShermanwillcarryyourpropertytoRoughandReady，andGeneralHoodwilltakeitthenceon。\"Andtheywillreplytothat:\"ButI
wanttoleavetherailroadatsuchaplace，andcannotgetconveyancefromthereon。\"
Weonlyrefertoafewfacts，totrytoillustrateinparthowthismeasurewilloperateinpractice。Asyouadvanced，thepeoplenorthofthisfellback;andbeforeyourarrivalhere，alargeportionofthepeoplehadretiredsouth，sothatthecountrysouthofthisisalreadycrowded，andwithouthousesenoughtoaccommodatethepeople，andweareinformedthatmanyarenowstayinginchurchesandotherout—buildings。
Thisbeingso，howisitpossibleforthepeoplestillhere（mostlywomenandchildren）tofindanyshelter？Andhowcantheylivethroughthewinterinthewoods——noshelterorsubsistence，inthemidstofstrangerswhoknowthemnot，andwithoutthepowertoassistthemmuch，iftheywerewillingtodoso？
Thisisbutafeeblepictureoftheconsequencesofthismeasure。
Youknowthewoe，thehorrors，andthesuffering，cannotbedescribedbywords;imaginationcanonlyconceiveofit，andweaskyoutotakethesethingsintoconsideration。
Weknowyourmindandtimeareconstantlyoccupiedwiththedutiesofyourcommand，whichalmostdetersusfromaskingyourattentiontothismatter，butthoughtitmightbethatyouhadnotconsideredthissubjectinallofitsawfulconsequences，andthatonmorereflectionyou，wehope，wouldnotmakethispeopleanexceptiontoallmankind，forweknowofnosuchinstanceeverhavingoccurred——
surelyneverintheUnitedStates——andwhathasthishelplesspeopledone，thattheyshouldbedrivenfromtheirhomes，towanderstrangersandoutcasts，andexiles，andtosubsistoncharity？
Wedonotknowasyetthenumberofpeoplestillhere;ofthosewhoarehere，wearesatisfiedarespectablenumber，ifallowedtoremainathome，couldsubsistforseveralmonthswithoutassistance，andarespectablenumberforamuchlongertime，andwhomightnotneedassistanceatanytime。
Inconclusion，wemostearnestlyandsolemnlypetitionyoutoreconsiderthisorder，ormodifyit，andsufferthisunfortunatepeopletoremainathome，andenjoywhatlittlemeanstheyhave。
RespectfullysubmittedJAMESM。CALHOUN，Mayor。
E。E。RAWSON，Councilman。
S。C。Warns，Councilman。
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPI
INTHEFIELD，ATLANTA，GEORGIA，September12，1864。
JAMESM。CALHOUN，Mayor，E。E。RAWSONandS。C。Wares，representingCityCouncilofAtlanta。
GENTLEMEN:Ihaveyourletterofthe11th，inthenatureofapetitiontorevokemyordersremovingalltheinhabitantsfromAtlanta。Ihavereaditcarefully，andgivefullcredittoyourstatementsofthedistressthatwillbeoccasioned，andyetshallnotrevokemyorders，becausetheywerenotdesignedtomeetthehumanitiesofthecase，buttoprepareforthefuturestrugglesinwhichmillionsofgoodpeopleoutsideofAtlantahaveadeepintereSt。Wemusthavepeace，notonlyatAtlanta，butinallAmerica。Tosecurethis，wemuststopthewarthatnowdesolatesouroncehappyandfavoredcountry。Tostopwar，wemustdefeattherebelarmieswhicharearrayedagainstthelawsandConstitutionthatallmustrespectandobey。Todefeatthosearmies，wemustpreparethewaytoreachthemintheirrecesses，providedwiththearmsandinstrumentswhichenableustoaccomplishourpurpose。Now，Iknowthevindictivenatureofourenemy，thatwemayhavemanyyearsofmilitaryoperationsfromthisquarter;and，therefore，deemitwiseandprudenttoprepareintime。TheuseofAtlantaforwarlikepurposesisinconsistentwithitscharacterasahomeforfamilies。Therewillbenomanufactures，commerce，oragriculturehere，forthemaintenanceoffamilies，andsoonerorlaterwantwillcompeltheinhabitantstogo。Whynotgonow，whenallthearrangementsarecompletedforthetransfer，——insteadofwaitingtilltheplungingshotofcontendingarmieswillrenewthescenesofthepastmonths。Ofcourse，Idonotapprehendanysuchthingatthismoment，butyoudonotsupposethisarmywillbehereuntilthewarisover。I
cannotdiscussthissubjectwithyoufairly，becauseIcannotimparttoyouwhatweproposetodo，butIassertthatourmilitaryplansmakeitnecessaryfortheinhabitantstogoaway，andIcanonlyrenewmyofferofservicestomaketheirexodusinanydirectionaseasyandcomfortableaspossible。
YoucannotqualifywarinharshertermsthanIwill。Wariscruelty，andyoucannotrefineit;andthosewhobroughtwarintoourcountrydeserveallthecursesandmaledictionsapeoplecanpourout。IknowIhadnohandinmakingthiswar，andIknowI
willmakemoresacrificesto—daythananyofyoutosecurepeace。
Butyoucannothavepeaceandadivisionofourcountry。IftheUnitedStatessubmitstoadivisionnow，itwillnotstop，butwillgoonuntilwereapthefateofMexico，whichiseternalwar。TheUnitedStatesdoesandmustassertitsauthority，whereveritoncehadpower;for，ifitrelaxesonebittopressure，itisgone，andIbelievethatsuchisthenationalfeeling。Thisfeelingassumesvariousshapes，butalwayscomesbacktothatofUnion。OnceadmittheUnion，oncemoreacknowledgetheauthorityofthenationalGovernment，and，insteadofdevotingyourhousesandstreetsandroadstothedreadusesofwar，Iandthisarmybecomeatonceyourprotectorsandsupporters，shieldingyoufromdanger，letitcomefromwhatquarteritmay。Iknowthatafewindividualscannotresistatorrentoferrorandpassion，suchasswepttheSouthintorebellion，butyoucanpointout，sothatwemayknowthosewhodesireagovernment，andthosewhoinsistonwaranditsdesolation。
Youmightaswellappealagainstthethunder—stormasagainsttheseterriblehardshipsofwar。Theyareinevitable，andtheonlywaythepeopleofAtlantacanhopeoncemoretoliveinpeaceandquietathome，istostopthewar，whichcanonlybedonebyadmittingthatitbeganinerrorandisperpetuatedinpride。
Wedon’twantyournegroes，oryourhorses，oryourhouses，oryourlands，oranythingyouhave，butwedowantandwillhaveajustobediencetothelawsoftheUnitedStates。Thatwewillhave，and，ifitinvolvesthedestructionofyourimprovements，wecannothelpit。
Youhaveheretoforereadpublicsentimentinyournewspapers，thatlivebyfalsehoodandexcitement;andthequickeryouseekfortruthinotherquarters，thebetter。Irepeatthenthat，bytheoriginalcompactofGovernment，theUnitedStateshadcertainrightsinGeorgia，whichhaveneverbeenrelinquishedandneverwillbe;thattheSouthbeganwarbyseizingforts，arsenals，mints，custom—houses，etc。，etc。，longbeforeMr。Lincolnwasinstalled，andbeforetheSouthhadonejotortittleofprovocation。ImyselfhaveseeninMissouri，Kentucky，Tennessee，andMississippi，hundredsandthousandsofwomenandchildrenfleeingfromyourarmiesanddesperadoes，hungryandwithbleedingfeet。InMemphis，Vicksburg，andMississippi，wefedthousandsuponthousandsofthefamiliesofrebelsoldiersleftonourhands，andwhomwecouldnotseestarve。Nowthatwarcomeshometoyou;
youfeelverydifferent。Youdeprecateitshorrors，butdidnotfeelthemwhenyousentcar—loadsofsoldiersandammunition，andmouldedshellsandshot，tocarrywarintoKentuckyandTennessee，todesolatethehomesofhundredsandthousandsofgoodpeoplewhoonlyaskedtoliveinpeaceattheiroldhomes，andundertheGovernmentoftheirinheritance。Butthesecomparisonsareidle。
Iwantpeace，andbelieveitcanonlybereachedthroughunionandwar，andIwilleverconductwarwithaviewtoperfectandearlysuccess。
But，mydearsirs，whenpeacedoescome，youmaycallonmeforanything。ThenwillIsharewithyouthelastcracker，andwatchwithyoutoshieldyourhomesandfamiliesagainstdangerfromeveryquarter。
Nowyoumustgo，andtakewithyoutheoldandfeeble，feedandnursethem，andbuildforthem，inmorequietplaces，properhabitationstoshieldthemagainsttheweatheruntilthemadpassionsofmencooldown，andallowtheUnionandpeaceoncemoretosettleoveryouroldhomesatAtlanta。Yoursinhaste，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—Generalcommanding。
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPI
INTHEFIELD，ATLANTA，GEORGIA，September14，1864。
GeneralJ。B。HOOD，commandingArmyoftheTennessee，ConfederateArmy。
GENERAL:YoursofSeptember12thisreceived，andhasbeencarefullyperused。Iagreewithyouthatthisdiscussionbytwosoldiersisoutofplace，andprofitless;butyoumustadmitthatyoubeganthecontroversybycharacterizinganofficialactofmineinunfairandimproperterms。Ireiteratemyformeranswer，andtotheonlynewmattercontainedinyourrejoinderadd:Wehaveno\"negroallies\"inthisarmy;notasinglenegrosoldierleftChattanoogawiththisarmy，oriswithitnow。ThereareafewguardingChattanooga，whichGeneralSteedmansentatonetimetodriveWheeleroutofDalton。
IwasnotboundbythelawsofwartogivenoticeoftheshellingofAtlanta，a\"fortifiedtown，withmagazines，arsenals，founderies，andpublicstores;\"youwereboundtotakenotice。Seethebooks。
Thisistheconclusionofourcorrespondence，whichIdidnotbegin，andterminatewithsatisfaction。Iam，withrespect，yourobedientservant，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—Generalcommanding。
HEADQUARTERSOFTHEARMY
WASHINGTON，September28，1864，Major—GeneralSHERMAN，Atlanta，Georgia。
GENERAL:Yourcommunicationsofthe20thinregardtotheremovaloffamiliesfromAtlanta，andtheexchangeofprisoners，andalsotheofficialreportofyourcampaign，arejustreceived。Ihavenothadtimeasyettoexamineyourreport。ThecoursewhichyouhavepursuedinremovingrebelfamiliesfromAtlanta，andintheexchangeofprisoners，isfullyapprovedbytheWarDepartment。
Notonlyareyoujustifiedbythelawsandusagesofwarinremovingthesepeople，butIthinkitwasyourdutytoyourownarmytodoso。Moreover，Iamfullyofopinionthatthenatureofyourposition，thecharacterofthewar，theconductoftheenemy（andespeciallyofnon—combatantsandwomenoftheterritorywhichwehaveheretoforeconqueredandoccupied），willjustifyyouingatheringupalltheforageandprovisionswhichyourarmymayrequire，bothforasiegeofAtlantaandforyoursupplyinyourmarchfartherintotheenemy’scountry。Letthedisloyalfamiliesofthecountry，thusstripped，gototheirhusbands，fathers，andnaturalprotectors，intherebelranks;wehavetriedthreeyearsofconciliationandkindnesswithoutanyreciprocation;onthecontrary，thosethustreatedhaveactedasspiesandguerrillasinourrearandwithinourlines。Thesafetyofourarmies，andaproperregardforthelivesofoursoldiers，requirethatweapplytoourinexorablefoesthesevererulesofwar。Wecertainlyarenotrequiredtotreattheso—callednon—combatantrebelsbetterthantheythemselvestreateachother。EvenhereinVirginia，withinfiftymilesofWashington，theystriptheirownfamiliesofprovisions，leavingthem，asourarmyadvances，tobefedbyus，ortostarvewithinourlines。Wehavefedthisclassofpeoplelongenough。Letthemgowiththeirhusbandsandfathersintherebelranks;andiftheywon’tgo，wemustsendthemtotheirfriendsandnaturalprotectors。IwoulddestroyeverymillandfactorywithinreachwhichIdidnotwantformyownuse。Thistherebelshavedone，notonlyinMarylandandPennsylvania，butalsoinVirginiaandotherrebelStates，whencompelledtofallbackbeforeourarmies。Inmanysectionsofthecountrytheyhavenotleftamilltogrindgrainfortheirownsufferingfamilies，lestwemightusethemtosupplyourarmies。Wemostdothesame。
Ihaveendeavoredtoimpresstheseviewsuponourcommandersforthelasttwoyears。Youarealmosttheonlyonewhohasproperlyappliedthem。IdonotapproveofGeneralHunter’scourseinburningprivatehomesoruselesslydestroyingprivateproperty。
Thatisbarbarous。ButIapproveoftakingordestroyingwhatevermayserveassuppliestousortotheenemy’sarmy。
Veryrespectfully，yourobedientservant，H。W。HALLECK，Major—General，ChiefofStaffInordertoeffecttheexchangeofprisoners，tofacilitatetheexodusofthepeopleofAtlanta，andtokeepopencommunicationwiththeSouth，weestablishedaneutralcamp，atandabouttherailroad—stationnextsouthofAtlanta，knownas\"RoughandReady，\"