A Democratic-leaning paper in upstate New York was not quite so enamored of total war in Georgia as The New-York Times appeared to be in its Thanksgiving day issue. Presumably the rebels would soon resist the Union army with a strong force. Also, wouldn’t Georgians kind of resent the destruction of their state?
From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864:
Gen. Sherman’s Movements.
The news from Sherman’s army, through rebel sources, is important, although somewhat conflicting. Thus far, it seems, he has met with no serious opposition by armed forces in his march through Georgia towards the Atlantic coast, though his way has been somewhat obstructed by rebel cavalry. It is, however, evident that the rebels are concentrating a powerful force to give him battle. The Baltimore correspondent of the World says that Sherman’s movement was fully anticipated by the rebel authorities, and that Gen. Beauregard has been collecting a force, and will in due time, and at the proper point, give him battle.
The Governors of South Carolina and Georgia have made a call for all male citizens in their respective States, between the ages of 16 and 45, for immediate service.
A most desperate effort, therefore, will be made by the rebels to defeat and destroy Gen. Sherman and his victorious army. – Time alone will decide the result. The wholesale destruction of public and private property by Sherman must so outrage the people that every man and boy that can shoulder a musket will at once join the rebel army.
The Richmond papers say that the invasion of Georgia and the vandalism of Sherman will cure the Georgians of their foolish love for the old Union, or its restoration, and make them unyielding friends of the Southern Confederacy.
curing Georgians of their love for old Union
