Union
General William T Sherman issued his Special Field Orders Number 120 on
November 9th 1864, in preparation for the March to the Sea.
Union Major
General William T Sherman issued Special Field Orders Number 120 just before
leaving the Atlanta, Georgia area on November 9th 1864. It contained the orders for conduct while
marching to Savannah, Georgia and the coast.
The Order explained Sherman’s plan to destroy the property of the Southern
people, bringing an end to the Civil War through physical and psychological war
fare. The men were instructed to forage,
taking what they needed even if that left the population starving.
“Headquarters
Military Division of the Mississippi, In the Field, Kingston, Georgia, November
9, 1864
I. For the
purpose of military operations, this army is divided into two wings viz.: The
right wing, Major-General O. O. Howard commanding, composed of the Fifteenth
and Seventeenth Corps; the left wing, Major-General H. W. Slocum commanding,
composed of the Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps.
II. The
habitual order of march will be, wherever practicable, by four roads, as nearly
parallel as possible, and converging at points hereafter to be indicated in
orders. The cavalry, Brigadier - General Kilpatrick commanding, will receive
special orders from the commander-in-chief.
III. There
will be no general train of supplies, but each corps will have its
ammunition-train and provision-train, distributed habitually as follows: Behind
each regiment should follow one wagon and one ambulance; behind each brigade
should follow a due proportion of ammunition - wagons, provision-wagons, and
ambulances. In case of danger, each corps commander should change this order of
march, by having his advance and rear brigades unencumbered by wheels. The
separate columns will start habitually at 7 a.m., and make about fifteen miles
per day, unless otherwise fixed in orders.
IV. The army
will forage liberally on the country during the march. To this end, each
brigade commander will organize a good and sufficient foraging party, under the
command of one or more discreet officers, who will gather, near the route
traveled, corn or forage of any kind, meat of any kind, vegetables, corn-meal,
or whatever is needed by the command, aiming at all times to keep in the wagons
at least ten day's provisions for the command and three days' forage. Soldiers
must not enter the dwellings of the inhabitants, or commit any trespass, but
during a halt or a camp they may be permitted to gather turnips, potatoes, and
other vegetables, and to drive in stock of their camp. To regular foraging
parties must be instructed the gathering of provisions and forage at any
distance from the road traveled.
V. To army
corps commanders alone is intrusted the power to destroy mills, houses,
cotton-gins, &c., and for them this general principle is laid down: In
districts and neighborhoods where the army is unmolested no destruction of such
property should be permitted; but should guerrillas or bushwhackers molest our
march, or should the inhabitants burn bridges, obstruct roads, or otherwise
manifest local hostility, then army commanders should order and enforce a
devastation more or less relentless according to the measure of such hostility.
VI. As for
horses, mules, wagons, &c., belonging to the inhabitants, the cavalry and
artillery may appropriate freely and without limit, discriminating, however,
between the rich, who are usually hostile, and the poor or industrious, usually
neutral or friendly. Foraging parties may also take mules or horses to replace
the jaded animals of their trains, or to serve as pack-mules for the regiments
or bridges. In all foraging, of whatever kind, the parties engaged will refrain
from abusive or threatening language, and may, where the officer in command
thinks proper, give written certificates of the facts, but no receipts, and
they will endeavor to leave with each family a reasonable portion for their
maintenance.
VII. Negroes
who are able-bodied and can be of service to the several columns may be taken
along, but each army commander will bear in mind that the question of supplies
is a very important one and that his first duty is to see to them who bear
arms.
— William T.
Sherman, Military Division of the Mississippi Special Field Order 120, November
9, 1864”
1 comment:
Inconceivable points. Sound arguments. Keep going the truly amazing work.Gettysburg Museum of History
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