War Crimes Against Southern Civilians

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This examination reveals the sobering consequences of the Civil War on civilians, highlighting the atrocities committed by the United States government and its officers. The rationale for the Union's "hard war," sanctioned by Lincoln in 1864, allowed for unlimited warfare against civilians, including women and children. In concise chapters, the narrative details the "St. Louis Massacre," where Federal authorities imposed a reign of terror in Missouri, leading to the forced exile of twenty thousand civilians. It also explores the suppression of civil liberties, theft, and murder in Tennessee, all justified in the name of "restoring the Union." Sherman's infamous raid through Georgia left women and children, both black and white, robbed and brutalized, with many left homeless. In South Carolina, entire communities were destroyed by flames, and civilians faced relentless violence from Union troops. Southern Blacks, whether free or enslaved, suffered severe mistreatment at the hands of their supposed liberators, enduring robbery, torture, and even murder. This carefully researched account, drawing from primary sources, offers a compelling alternative perspective on this tumultuous period in American history, making it a significant read for those interested in the complexities of the Civil War's impact on civilian life.