In a letter to his wife 03/12/1864 Sherman discloses why the South had to be destroyed--
"The devils seem to have a determination that cannot but be admired. No amount of poverty or adversity seems to shake their faith - niggers gone -- wealth and luxury gone, money worthless, starvation in view within a period of two or three years, are causes enough to make the bravest tremble, yet I see no sign of let up - some few deserters - plenty tired of war, but the masses determined to fight it out."
Interesting Dav. I found a similar letter but with slightly different words. I'm wondering who's is accurate.
ReplyDeleteI would rather occupy my present relations to the military world than any other command & therefore must serve out this Campaign which is to be the Test. All that has gone before is mere Skirmishing. The War now begins and with heavy well disciplined masses, the issue must be settled in hard fought Battles.
I think we can whip them in Alabama and it may be Georgia, but the Devils seem to have a determination that cannot but be admired. No amount of poverty or adversity seems to shake their faith. Slaves gone, wealth & luxury gone, money worthless, starvation in view within a period of two or three years, are Causes enough to make the bravest tremble, yet I see no signs of let up. Some few deserters are plenty tired of war, but the masses determined to fight it out. I will take McPherson & two Divisions of 5000 each from the River to add to my Army at Huntsville, but they are not available till they get the furlough of 30 days. I will write more frequent now to make up.
My info came from page 57 of, "The Confederate War" by Gary W. Gallagher.
DeleteAccuracy set aside yours and mine say the same thing.
The people of the South were willing to see it through to the end.
Correct. Just wondering about the small variations.
DeleteSherman did not write - slaves gone, he wrote that in Dave's version
ReplyDelete