Atlanta

One thing is certain, whether we get inside of Atlanta or not, it will be a

used-up community when we are done with it.

(Sherman proposed to evacuate Atlanta)

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.

-Hood at Atlanta

Nor is it necessary to appeal to the dark history of

war, when recent and modern examples are so handy.

-Sherman's response to Hood

God will judge us in due time, and he will pronounce

whether it be more humane to fight with a town full

of women and the families of a brave people at our back

or to remove them in time to places of safety among their own

friends and people.

If the people raise a howl against my barbarity and cruelty, I will

answer that war is war, and not popularity-seeking. If they want

peace, they and their relatives most stop the war.

I knew, of course, that such a measure would be strongly

criticised, but made up my mind to do it with the absolute

certainty of its justness, and that time would sanction its wisdom.

I knew that the people of the South would read in this measure two

important conclusions: one, that we were in earnest; and the other,

if they were sincere in their common and popular clamor "to die in

the last ditch," that the opportunity would soon come.

You have accomplished the most gigantic undertaking given to any

general in this war, and with a skill and ability that will be

acknowledged in history as unsurpassed, if not unequaled.

It gives me as much pleasure to record this in your favor as it world in

favor of any living man, myself included.

Truly yours,

U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.

leveled the great depot, round house, and the machine-shops of the

Georgia Railroad, and had applied fire to the wreck

***

the heart of the city was in flames all night,

but the fire did not reach the parts of Atlanta where the court-

house was, or the great mass of dwelling houses.

Behind us lay Atlanta, smouldering and in ruins,

the black smoke rising high in air, and hanging like a pall over

the ruined city.

Never before or since have I heard the chorus of "Glory, glory, hallelujah!"

done with more spirit, or in better harmony of time and place.

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