On this day in the Civil War, Federal General William T. Sherman and Confederate General John B. Hood enter into a 10 day truce to allow the evacuation of civilians from Atlanta.
A citizen’s committee presents Sherman with a formal protest of this policy of removal. Sherman replies, “You might as well appeal against the thunderstorm, as against these terrible hardships of war.”
Over the next 10 days, 446 families leave the city.
Drawing of Atlanta’s citizens obtaining passes to evacuate the city
(Credit: Library of Congress)