I still stand that Sherman did the right thing to help bring the war to an end.
Despite myth, Sherman's army was quite the respecter of persons, if not property. There were less than half a dozen rapes among Sherman's 60,000 men and no, none, nada, zilch, murders of civilians.
On the other hand, over fifty of Sherman's men were lynched by CSA forces.
Walt
the federals hanged/shot MANY suspected "spies,sabotuers,deserters & common criminals"-most without the pretense of a trial by courts martial.
your chance as an accused criminal in those days was POOR of failing to "meet your maker"-military justice was SWIFT, if not even-handed.
for dixie,sw
according to the Chief Judge Advocate General of the US Army 2 years ago in an official pleading to the Board for the Correction of Military Records, CPT Henry Wirtz, Medical Corps, CSA was:
1.convicted by courts martial on perjured evidence, which was known to be false,at the time of trial by the convening authority,
2.was NOT subject to trial by courts martial, as he was NOT subject to the UCMJ or that of any other military tribunal, as he was a CIVILIAN at the time of trial,
3. committed NO UNLAWFUL acts while the medical officer of CSA Camp Sumpter, Andersonville,AL,
4.and he was singled out to be a scapegoat for crimes committed by others, ONLY because he was a Swiss national,was Roman Catholic and was in the custody of the USA Provost Marshal, when the court martial authority was seeking SOMEONE to try for the problems at Camp Sumpter.
CPT was also denied to call witnesses in his defense, as the convening authority REFUSED to call ANYONE on the CPTs witness list to the bar.
after sentence of death was read, CPT Wirtz requested the services of a Roman Catholic priest to hear his confession and to provide him spiritual guidance until such time as sentence was carried out. this request was DENIED by the Provost Marshal General of the Army, as the trial counsel said: he's just a damn PAPIST and is going to HELL anyway!
TYPICAL damnyankee "justice"!
COL Heinrich Wurtz, his great-great uncle is a personal friend of mine,BTW. COL Wurtz frequently visits our family when he comes to the USA.
our SCV camp is the official custodian of CPT Wirtz's grave. he is buried @ Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Washington,DC.
for dixie FREEDOM,sw