Have you noticed the full scale assault on the truth regarding the activities of William T. Sherman (T for "Torch?") and his march to the sea?

This is not merely happen stance of some misguided writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution singularly attempting to dispel as hearsay the atrocities and acts of terrorism conducted during Sherman's drive through Georgia and elsewhere.

If you look carefully, the Atlanta newspaper is but part of a concerted campaign to wipe out of mind thousands of pages of official records of the U.S. military and supporting correspondence of the era by those who were involved and those who were terrorized.

There is a significant promotion taking place to establish the Sherman Trail, or path, and to sanitize it as a necessary and orderly military campaign. This campaign is aided and abetted by a national group commemorating and historically marking the route. It is supported and advanced by Governor Sonny Perdue through his Office of Travel and Tourism. It has the blessings of members of the Georgia General Assembly and the Civil War Commission.

The cleansing of Sherman is being influenced by the Georgia business community who have little regard for historical accuracy particularly when the opportunity to gain financially from a trumped up tourist attraction presents itself.

The question is, will the people of Georgia and other Southern states allow this new invasion on our ancestors and now us, to take place without challenge? Will the public acquiesce to political correctness and a new revision of history designed remove the stigma of one America's most atrocious periods of terrorism which, along with genocide conducted upon American natives, also partly by Sherman, rank among the most shameful deeds in American history?

The documentation of these crimes from reliable sources is available and abundant. It traces all the way from direct orders from the real Lincoln, to U. S. Grant, to Sherman himself who in later life admitted his departure from civilized warfare. In the context of current similar issues the media applies the term "war crimes" and demands the heads of all remotely involved. This same media is now praising Sherman.

We have many talented and accurate writers and spokespeople who need to join in a gigantic protest to all who are involved in this whitewash of the truth and justification of the crimes that took place. It isn't a one time thing, it must be relentless until all involved are removed from power or influence, or who recognize the power of the people will not accept intentional distortions designed to sanitize truth for commercial gain.

If this must be carried into political campaigns on the local, county, district and state levels, let it be done.

The new spin is Sherman did some necessary strategic burning in cities such as Atlanta and Jackson. But what about: The dozens of damaging quotes from Sherman himself, the formation and modus operandi of the Bummers, the theft of heirlooms, legal tender, and the division of profits by the officers in Sherman's army. The rape of women and the murder of innocent civilians. Children left homeless. The needless destruction of churches, schools, homes. The looting of personal property of civilians. The destruction of crops, livestock and the poisoning of the land. Then, the transfer of women and children from their homes to the North, such as Roswell Mills.

Will we be seeing you, and each of you, writing letters, making phone calls, encountering office holders, identifying those who have sold out to corruption of history and truth? I beg you to join. This is a battle that can be won with the joint force of loyal Southrons and others who respect truth.

Thanks to all who join and take a task for truth, however small.

Jeff Davis is a retired radio-TV journalist living in Gainesville, GA. Active in civic and political affairs, he is past president of the Georgia Jaycees, former vice president of the US and the world Jaycees, former campaign chairman of the Georgia Republican party. He voluntarily serves as president of the International Association for the Restoration of Confederate History and the Georgia Heritage Coalition. He is a collateral descendant of President Jefferson Davis.

LETTER TO THE AJC EDITORS:

Cameron McWhirter's article opining that William T. Sherman "wasn't as evil as history has painted him" cannot pass without some fair minded comment.

The effort to support and illuminate the theories outlined by current local historians and folk lore theorists falls far short of any attempt to include the findings of the vast majority of historians who addressed this subject when it happened and who almost unanimously outline dozens of acts of violations of warfare against non combatant civilians.

Where in this article was one reference to a contrary view? Even the damaging quotations of Sherman himself, or the official U. S. Army records would have been beneficial to avoid the complete whitewash developed in the article.

Perhaps the best source of the real examination of General Sherman was the study done by the Emory University School of Law. If anything it gives him a pass on several accusations considered difficult to prove in a court martial but properly classifies as "war crimes" a lesser number of defined and documented acts of terrorism, arson, murder, theft, punishment of civilians and retaliation, all forbidden by the standards of the time and much more pronounced by the standards of the Geneva Convention, today.

Should you be interested in publishing the details of the other side of this dark shadow on American history, we'll provide them, with full documentation including the details of General Sherman's part in the campaign for the extermination of Native Americans.

J. A. Davis
Chairman, Georgia Heritage Coalition
Gainesville, GA