Letter from William Sherman to Sutton et. al., April 4, 1865
Title
Letter from William Sherman to Sutton et. al., April 4, 1865
Description
The correspondence took place between General William Sherman of the Union Army and a Mr. Sutton and other local farmers in Moseley Hall, North Carolina, near Goldsboro on April 4, 1865. The request came from Mr. Sutton because when Sherman and his men entered North Carolina, Sherman issued Special Field Orders, No. 56 on March 8, 1865, which called for the killing of all surplus animals in North Carolina. In Goldsboro, Sherman’s army killed over 100 horses, which scared many farmers who depended on the animals to carry out their farming duties. Although Sherman felt sympathy for Sutton and other farmers, he believed the animals had to be killed to cripple the Confederate home front and end the war. The killing of the animals was a military strategy for Sherman. For farmers, like Sutton, it was very personal and threatened their ability to survive. The main image is of William Sherman.
Creator
William T. Sherman
Source
Letter from William Sherman to Sutton et. al., April 4, 1865, History of Wayne County, North Carolina: A Collection of Historical Stories, Bob Johnson and Charles S. Norwood eds., (Goldsboro, North Carolina: Wayne County Historical Association, 1979), 156-157.
Date
1865-04-04
Contributor
Tim Justice
Type
Document
Coverage
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Wayne County, North Carolina
Wayne County, North Carolina
Original Format
Correspondence
Text
HDQRS Mil. Division of the Mississippi,
In The Field
April 4, 1865
Goldsboro, N.C.
Messrs. Sutton and others,
Moseley Hall, N.C.
Gentlemen:
I cannot undertake to supply horses or to encourage peaceful industry in North Carolina until the State shall perform some public act showing that, as to her, the war is over.
I sympathize with the distress of families, but cannot undertake to extend relief to individuals.
With respect, your obedient servant,
W.T. Sherman, Maj. Gen., Com’d’g.
In The Field
April 4, 1865
Goldsboro, N.C.
Messrs. Sutton and others,
Moseley Hall, N.C.
Gentlemen:
I cannot undertake to supply horses or to encourage peaceful industry in North Carolina until the State shall perform some public act showing that, as to her, the war is over.
I sympathize with the distress of families, but cannot undertake to extend relief to individuals.
With respect, your obedient servant,
W.T. Sherman, Maj. Gen., Com’d’g.
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Collection
Citation
William T. Sherman, Letter from William Sherman to Sutton et. al., April 4, 1865, Civil War Era NC, accessed December 8, 2024, https://cwnc.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/items/show/166.