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Online Archive of ORs: Orders for Sherman's Commanders, February 25, 1865
HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
West's Cross-Roads, S. C. ,
February 25, 1865.
Brevet Major-General WOODS, Commanding First Division, Fifteenth Army Corps:
GENERAL:
Instances of brutality, and murder even, have come to the attention of the commanding general, committed, it is presumed by the citizens of the country upon foragers from this and other corps of the army. Moving through an enemy's country, in the manner and on distant marches as this army does, it becomes necessary to resort to this means of obtaining subsistence, as it would be impossible to carry rations for the campaign in our wagon trains. The general commanding has given the matter his attention, and would have issued instructions relative to a system of retaliation had not the commander-in-chief himself prepared a note upon the subject. I am directed to communicate the following extract from General Sherman's note for your information and guidance:
[Extract. ]
He (General Kilpatrick) reports that two men of his foraging parties were murdered after captured by the enemy and labeled "Death to all foragers. " Now, it is clearly our war right to subsist our army on the enemy. Napoleon always did it, but could avail himself of the civil powers he found in existence to collect forage and provisions by regular impressments. We cannot do that here, and I contend if the enemy fails to defend his country we may rightfully appropriate what we want. If our foragers act under mine, yours, or other proper authority, they must be protected. I have ordered Kilpatrick to select of his prisoners man for man, shoot them, and leave them by the roadside labeled, so that our enemy will see that for every man he executes he takes the life of one of his own. I want the foragers, however, to be kept within reasonable bounds for the sake of discipline. I will not protect them when they enter dwellings and commit wanton waste, such as woman's apparel, jewelry, and such things as are not needed by our army. They may destroy cotton and tobacco, because these things are assumed by the rebel Government to belong to it, and are used as a valuable source of revenue. Nor will I consent to the enemy taking the lives of our men of their judgment. They have lost all title to property and can lose nothing not already forfeited, but we should punish for a departure from orders, and if the people resist our foragers I will not deem it wrong, but the Confederate army must not be supposed the champions of any people. I lay these general rules and wish you to be governed by them. If any of your foragers are murdered, take life for life, leaving record of each case.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
MAX. WOODHULL,
Assistant Adju-General.
(Same to Generals Hazen, John E. Smith, and Corse.)
------------------------
[CIRCULAR.]
HDQRS. DEPT. AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Near Williams' Cross-Roads, S. C. ,
February 25, 1865.
The general believes that it is the enemy's intention to kill our foragers after capture. Two were found murdered the other day and labeled "Death to foragers. " Two were killed this morning near General John E. Smith's camp. General Sherman's directions with regard to retaliation will be strictly carried out by corps and division commanders; yet it is enjoined again upon all officers to prohibit individual foraging. The party must be big enough to be self-protecting. In two or three instances of late trains have been so straggled out on the march that a sudden dash of the enemy might capture several wagons without difficulty, and frequently wagons are sent out to forage with insufficient guards of five or six men. Every officer who cares at all for our safety and would save the precious lives of our men must do his part to prevent these irregularities. If not already done, an officer will be detailed in each brigade to have permanent charge of the foraging parties. His name will be registered at division and corps headquarters. The corps chief of artillery will regulate the foraging for the Artillery Brigade of the corps; the chief quartermaster for the trains of the corps, and an officer be appointed to the same duty for each headquarters. Captain P. A. Taylor, chief signal officer, is announced as the officer for these headquarters. The specific directions of each corps commander will be republished.
By order of Major General O. O. Howard:
A.m. VAN DYKE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
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