This war differs from other wars, in this particular. We are not fighting armies but a hostile people, and must make old and young, rich and poor, feel the hard hand of war.
My aim, then, was to whip the rebels, to humble their pride, to follow them to their inmost recesses, and make them fear and dread us. Fear is the beginning of wisdom.
War is the remedy that our enemies have chosen, and I say let us give them all they want.
If the people raise a great howl against my barbarity and cruelty, I will answer that war is war, and not popularity seeking.
And last but not least...
I would make this war as severe as possible, and show no symptoms of tiring till the South begs for mercy.