"...I repeat my orders that you arrest all people, male and female, connected with those factories, no matter what the clamor, and let them foot it, under guard, to Marietta, whence I will send them by cars to the north. Destroy and make the same disposition of all mills, save small flouring-mills manifestly for local use, but all saw-mills and factories dispose of effectually, and useful laborers,
excused, by reason of their skill as manufacturers, from conscription, are as much prisoners as if armed. The poor women will make a howl. Let them take along their children and clothing, providing they have the means of hauling or you can spare them. We will retain them until they can reach a country where they can live in peace and security.
In your next letter give me as much information as you can as to the size and dimensions of the burned bridge at Roswell across the Chattahoochee. We have plenty of pontoon bridging, but I much prefer fords for so large an army as we have.
I am, with respect, yours truly,
W. T. SHERMAN, Major General Commanding."
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Headquarters Military Division Of The Mississippi,
In the field, near Chattahoochee, July 7, 1864. General Halleck, Washington, D. C.:
General Garrard reports to me that he is in possession of Ross well, where were several valuable cotton and wool factories in full operation, also papermills, all of which, by my order, he destroyed by fire. They had been for years engaged exclusively at work for the confederate government; and the owner of the woollen factory displayed the French flag, but as he failed also to show the United States flag, General Garrard burned it also. The main cotton factory was valued at a million of United States dollars. The cloth on hand ia reserved for the use of United States hospitals; and I have ordered General Garrard to arrest for treason all owners and employes, foreign and native, and send them under guard to Marietta, whence I will send them north. Being exempt from conscription, they are as much governed by the rules of war as if in the ranks. The women can find employment in Indiana. This whole region was devoted to manufactories, but I will destroy every one of them. Johnston is manoeuvring against my right, and I will try and pass the Chattahoochee by my left. Ask Mr. Stanton not to publish the substance of my despatches, fur they reach Richmond in a day, and are telegraphed at once to Atlanta. The Atlanta papers contain later news from Washington than I get from Nashville. Absolute silence in military matters is the only safe rule. Let our public learn patience and common sense.
W. T. SHERMAN, Major General Commanding
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"There were over eight hundred girls in town; want to go North; a squad of them were sent to Marietta to-day in the supply-train."
"Very hot; all quiet. R. J. Hasty and myself went to look at the town. Found the ruins of three factories on the banks of a nice rapid stream, Vicker Creek; the largest one was four-stories high; all the wood-work burned out and the machinery scattered over the ground as it would fall when the wood burned from under it. The most extensive fire was Baron and King. King left but a few days before the 'Yankees' burned his factories. He is an Englishman, and claimed protection under the English colors. The men he had left were arrested. The capacity of the different factories was great enough to employ twelve hundred hands. There are still about four hundred women that have not been sent North." Diary of a 73rd Illinois soldier.