Atlanta - Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow. John R. Hornady

Atlanta - Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow - John R. Hornady


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that helped mightily in the rehabilitation of the stricken South.

      The uncertainty that attended the coming of the Federal troops into Atlanta was dispelled in a few days, and then the people learned for the first time how full was to be the measure of their punishment. In their wildest flights of fancy they had not dreamed of being turned from their homes and forced into exile, but this is the unhappy fate that befell them. On September 4th, General Sherman issued his order of exile, the opening paragraph reading:

      "The City of Atlanta being exclusively required for warlike purposes, will be at once vacated by all except the armies of the United States, and such civilians as may be retained."

      In this proclamation no time limit was set by General Sherman for the forced departure of the civilian population, but this limit was fixed at ten days in a communication which he addressed to General Hood, three days later. In this letter, which was conveyed to the Confederate Commander by two citizens of Atlanta who had been designated for the purpose by General Sherman, the Union Commander said:

      "General: — I have deemed it to be for the interest of the United States that the citizens now residing in Atlanta shall remove; those who prefer, to go South, the rest to go North. For the former I can provide transportation in cars as far as Rough and Ready, and also wagons; but that their removal may be made with as little discomfort as possible, it will be necessary to help the families from the cars at Rough and Ready to the cars at Love joy. If you consent, I will undertake to remove all the families who prefer to go South to Rough and Ready, with all their movable effects, viz.; clothing, trunks, reasonable furniture, bedding, etc., with their servants, white or black, with the provision that no force will be used toward the blacks one way or another; but if they want to go with their masters and mistresses they may go, otherwise they will be sent away, except the men, who may be employed by our quartermaster. Atlanta is no place for families of noncombatants, and I have no desire to send them North if you will assist to convey them South. If my proposition meets your views I will consent to have troops in the neighborhood of Rough and Ready, stipulating that no wagon, horses, animals or persons sent for the purpose stated, shall be in any manner harmed or molested; you on your part agreeing, that no cars, carriages, persons or animals shall be interfered with. Each might send a guard, say of one hundred men, to maintain order, and to limit the truce to ten days after a certain time appointed. I have authorized the Mayor to designate two citizens to carry this letter and such other documents as he may forward in explanation. I shall await your reply. I have the honor to be your obedient servant,

      "W. T. Sherman, Major-General."

      Upon receipt of this communication, General Hood entered a vigorous protest against the proposed action, sending the following communication to General Sherman:

      "General: — Your letter of yesterday's date borne by James M. Ball and James R. Crew, citizens of Atlanta, has been received. You say therein that you deem it to be for the interest of the United States for the citizens residing in Atlanta to be removed, and so forth. I do not consider that I have an alternative in the matter. I accept the proposition to declare a truce of ten days, or such time as may be necessary to accomplish the purpose mentioned, and shall render all the assistance in my power to expediate the transportation of citizens in this direction. I suggest that a staff officer be appointed by you to superintend the removal to Rough and Ready, while I will appoint a like officer to control the removal further south; that a guard of one hundred be sent by each party, as you propose, to maintain order at that place, and that the removal begin next Monday.

      "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 this war. In the name of God and humanity, I protest, and believe you will find yourself wrong in thus expelling from their homes and firesides the wives and children of a brave people. I have the honor to be,. General,

      Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

      "J. B. Hood."

      The tart comment of General Hood had no effect upon General Sherman, who proceeded without loss of time to put into effect his arrangements for ridding the City of its civil population. Notice was given that the exodus would begin the following Monday, and forthwith hurried preparation was made by the people to leave their homes — for they knew not what. It was the saddest, blackest day in all the troubled history of the little community, for not one, man, woman or child, knew what the future held in store. They knew only that they were turning their backs upon dear, familiar firesides; that they were leaving behind places where had existed the most tender association, and many an eye was dim as the sad processions made their way out of the community — women and children and aged men forming a picture of indescribable pathos. But there was naught of humiliation in their attitude. Bearing themselves with the same high courage that had characterized them throughout the troubled years of the conflict, they moved on, undismayed and unafraid, to the uncertain fate that lay before them.

      The exodus to the South carried 446 families, including 860 children and 705 adults. The record of the number going North is not preserved, though it undoubtedly was much smaller. That the movement was conducted with skill and with such attention to the humanities as conditions made possible, is attested by a communication addressed by Major Clare, of General Hood's staff, to Colonel "Warner, of General Sherman's staff. In this letter, written under date of Sept. 22, 1864, Colonel Clare said:

      "Colonel: — Our official communication is about to cease. 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 time to be able to reciprocate your positive kindness, I remain with respect, Your obedient servant."

      The Federal forces remained in Atlanta until General Sherman had completed his plans for the famous "march to the sea," whereupon he applied the torch and went on his way toward Savannah, Nov. 15, 1864.

      In his final blow at the "Citadel of the Confederacy," General Sherman was thorough, as in all things. Few buildings were omitted from his plan of destruction, and these for reasons which seemed sufficient to him but were something of a mystery to the citizens when they returned. Whitehall Street was largely a mass of ruins, and Alabama Street presented much the same aspect. Some buildings were left standing on Pryor, Hunter, Mitchell and Loyd Streets, but Marietta presented a scene of terrible desolation. Business blocks, churches, homes and hovels had crumbled beneath the fury of the flames, the total number of buildings destroyed being estimated at four thousand five hundred. The list included every building in the City devoted to education. Thus it would appear that the lamented Henry Grady was indulging in no idle dream when, before the New England Society in New York, he dropped the observation that some people thought General Sherman was "kind of careless about fire."

      Following the evacuation of the Union army, the Confederates again entered, the first official order appearing after the reoccupation of the City bearing the date of Dec. 2, 1864. That the military leaders had not given up hope or weakened in their purpose, is shown by the fact that steps to strengthen the forces were taken immediately after headquarters had been opened. On Dec. 8, a call was issued for all persons in Fulton County between the ages of 16 and 55 to report at the City Hall for military duty. The age limits fixed here, and in previous calls, would appear to have been extreme, but, as a matter of fact, many persons under sixteen and over fifty-five volunteered for service. This was true at the beginning of the conflict, and was so until the end. Boys of fourteen and fifteen frequently ran away from their homes and enlisted under the pretense that they were sixteen, and bewhiskered men of sixty and over — good shots and inured to hardships, — gave themselves willingly to the cause, hence the saying that "the cradle and the grave "contributed to the armies of the Confederacy, The gameness and endurance of these old men, and the dauntless spirit of the boys, contributed much to the valor of the Southern armies, and helped to make luminous their record of achievement.

      No sooner had the word gone forth that the Confederates again occupied Atlanta, than the exiled citizens began to return. Mayor Calhoun was back and had


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