Mr. H. W. Wilson in Thursday's Daily Mail gives a
most interesting summary of the rigorous methods adopted by Generals Sheridan and Sherman in the last years of the Civil War. The avowed object of the Northern Generals was to bring the sufferings of war home to the women and chil- dren—indeed, Sheridan went so far as to say, "Nothing should be left the women but the eyes to weep "—and they regarded a relentless devastation of the enemy's territory as the surest means of ending the war. Sherman, a man of finer character than Sheridan, in his famous march through Georgia expelled the non-combatants, and when the enemy appealed to God and humanity, answered them in these memorable words :—" In the name of common-sense, I ask you not to appeal to a just God in such a sacrilegious manner ; you who, in the midst of peace and prosperity, have plunged a nation into war—dark and cruel war—who dared and badgered us to battle, insulted our flag If we must be enemies, let us be men and fight it out as I propose to do, and not deal in such hypocritical appeals to God and humanity." When the enemy planted mines on the roads, he compelled prisoners to march ahead of his column. Horrible charges were brought against him, but the enemy's Generals left their wives and families to his care, and he replied to his assailants, much as Lord Kitchener might reply to his, "War is war, and not popularity-hunting."
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