Brian --
Regarding Sanborn's interesting comment regarding government policy --
The policy of the Government is not to starve people, and not allow any portion of its population to starve itself or commit suicide in any other way, the population of the country being its wealth and power.
Sanborn's statement runs directly counter to others in the Official Records from 1864 concering "disloyal" people (any resident of a Confederate state who had not taken the oath of allegiance). If anyone is interested, I can reference General Sherman's statement to the citizens of Huntsville AL concerning what treatment they might expect from his troops or other communications regarding 'depopulation' of Georgia and other Southern states.
We can be certain of this --
Sanborn could not have expressed opinions like these and remained under Sherman's command very long.