Transcript:
Headquarters, Military Division of the Mississippi,
In the Field. Feb 24 1865
Lt Genl Wade Hampton
Comdg Cavalry forces. C. S. A.
General.
It is officially reported to me that our foraging parties are murdered after capture and labeled “Death to All Foragers”. One instance of a Liut and seven men near Chesterville, and another of twenty “near a Ravine 80 rods from the main road” about 3 miles from Feasterville. I have ordered a similar number of prisoners in our hand to be disposed of in like manner.
I hold about 1000 of prisoners cap-tured in various ways. And can stand it as long as you. But I hardly think these murders are committed with your knowledge. And would suggest that you give notice to the people at large that every life taken by them simply results in the death of one of your Confederates.
Of course you cannot question my right to “forage on the Country”. It is a war Right as old as History. The manner of exacting in various with circumstances. And if the Civil Authorities will supply my Requisitions I will forbid all foraging. But I find no Civil Authorities who can respond to calls for forage or provision. And therefore must collect directly of the People. I have no doubt this is the occasion of much misbehavior an the part of our men, but I cannot permit an enemy to judge, or punish with wholesale murder.
Personally I regret the bitter feelings engendered by this war: but they are to be expected, and I simply allege that those who struck the first blow and made war inevitable ought not in fairness to reproach us for the natural consequences. I merely assert our War Right to Forage. And my resolve to protect my foragers to the extent of Life for Life.
I am with respect
Your obt servant
W. T. Sherman
Maj. Genl.
U.S.A.
Citation: William T. Sherman (1820-1891), autograph letter signed to Wade Hampton. 24 February 1864. AMs 360/12