From: James King <jkingantiquearms@bellsouth.net>
Date: Wed, Oct 19, 2011
Subject: [FlagFight] Sherman Article-Newspaper
To: flagfight@yahoogroups.com
Compatriots,
Journalist Carlton Fletcher of the Albany Herald newspaper (Albany Georgia) is working with me to write and publish an article on Sherman’s burning of Atlanta and march to the sea in Georgia in 1864.
I furnished Carlton considerable amounts of information, facts, and several contacts for phone interviews. Posted below is my own statement and assessment of Sherman and the Union soldiers.
This article is scheduled for publication in the Albany Herald on Sunday Oct.23 and can be read online at albanyherald.com
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Sherman Article-James King Statement
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Carlton,
Posted below is my perspective and opinion on Sherman and his march to the sea and destruction of Georgia and South Carolina. You may use any part or all of this statement as a quote from me in the article.
James W. King
Commander, Sons of Confederate Veterans
Albany, Ga. Camp 141 Lt. Col. Thomas M. Nelson
Statement by James W. King
Union General William T. Sherman is a controversial figure in American history based upon his 1864 Civil War "March to the Sea" and destruction of Georgia campaign which was followed by the invasion and destruction of South Carolina. Whether this campaign of total war was innovative in the annals of warfare or cruel unnecessary subjugation, destruction, and terrorizing of civilians depends upon one’s perspective. Personally I consider the campaign to have been unnecessary and especially heinous and vindictive. If the Union goal was to end the war this could have been better accomplished by joining forces with the Union armies in Virginia and would have resulted in a much earlier defeat of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia commanded by Gen. Robert E. Lee.
I consider Sherman to be a "WAR CRIMINAL’ of the most vile type. Statements made by Sherman indicate that he had to regard for the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights and Civil Rights and Liberties of Southern civilians. He appears to have believed he had every right to destroy every life and take or destroy any property of anyone opposed to the Northern political regime in Washington DC. The U.S. Constitution contains no right for the Federal government to invade or coerce any state for any reason. But Abraham Lincoln and other Republican politicians and Union Generals and officers placed their opinions and beliefs above the Constitution and openly violated and trampled on the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Sherman and his 75,000 Union troops exhibited a total lack of character and morals and were no more than common criminals as they burned, plundered, stole, destroyed, murdered, tortured, and raped their way across Georgia from Atlanta to Savannah and then to South Carolina where their conduct appears even more heinous, inexcusable, and vile. Sherman admitted in his memoirs written after the war that he would have likely been tried as a war criminal if the South had won. Sherman also stated that Abraham Lincoln laughed uncontrollably when told of the torture of women, children and old men. Since Lincoln had approved Sherman’s style of warfare I consider him a WAR CRIMINAL also. Sherman’ war was primarily a cowardly war against women and children as only about 3500 Confederates in Georgia were present to confront his massive band of criminals and terrorists.
It is my opinion that Sherman, Sheridan, Lincoln, Hunter, Butler, and other Union politicians and military officers should be tried posthumously as war criminals and their dastardly deeds made known to Americans. It is also my opinion that the Southern states should be paid reparations by the Federal government and a public admission and apology for war crimes should be forthcoming.
