The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-05-16
GENERAL SHERMAN'S TERMS TO
JOHNSTON.
A Letter from Ron. T. Ewing, the Gen
eral's father-in-Law.

To the Editor of the Cincinnati Commercial;
The public papers, which defend General
Sherman against the attacks made on him for
his transactions with Johnston, including the
capture and surrender of the rebel army gen
orally assume it as q foregone conclusion that
he made O mistake, yet no one has shown US
wherein the mistake consisted, and l
venture to Say no one can show any thing in
the matter, either in principle or detail, in
ception or result TO which the most punctil-
lious can object / refer, as matter of
course, to what he in fact did, not to what is
assumed for him or falsely imputed to him.
The actual facts, plainly told, are these;
On the 18th of April, Sherman had John-
| ston 80 hemmed in that he must either fight
or surrender. On that day, and in this con-
dition of things. the two generals met and
discussed not only the surrender of the army
under Johnston, but the other rebel forces in
the south and west, in the expressed hepe
that they might save further effusiop Of blood.
AS the proposed action, except so tar as con /.
cerned forces under the command of each,
was beyond their power, they agreed to u
suspension of hostilities, their armies remain.
ing in statu quo, until each could consult
with and obtain Instructions of those In pow
FISHERMAN, of course, that of the president
| of the United States and his cabinet He le'
ported at once, and received instructions to
confine himself to the mere military surren
| der of the rebel troops in his power. He &C
| cordingly received the surrender of Johnston
| with his q 900 men with their arms and
munitions of war, precisely what he would
| have done had the cabinet directed him not
| to negotiate, but without any attempt TO ex
cite q public clamor. This is ell Sherman
| did, and all he proposed to do,until he should
receive instructions from the department.
He held Johnston and his army firmly, he
lost no advantage which he could have gain.
| ed had he attacked Johnston Immediately
without negotiating, but saved, no doubt the
| effusion of blood.
Now, am at loss to find the mistake
Was it in the propositions which were sent to
the president and cabinet? They are greatly
misrepresented in the secretsry's bulletin
But it is no matter what they were they
came with no authority. Sherman assumed
none, but simply sent the propositions to bs
passed upon by the cabinet. Sigma" g
very able writer in the Commercial. and one
| who represents the case fairly. is of opinion
! that the propositions were themselves the
best practical. 1t may be SO, and probably
| is :. but years experience will show us.
! But, in this matter, Gen. Sherman could
hardly be charged with thinking for himself
| The propositions submitted were conceived il
the spirit of Mr.. Lincoln's last speech, which
Gen. Sherman NO doubt had seen, as it wal
in all the public prints and there is NJ
proof, and indeed, no pretence, that he hac
| seen Mr. Lincoln's instructions to Gen Grant
with which the propositions are SO elaborated
contrasted in the secretary's bulletsn. Tot
propositions may be the best, or the worst
possible but, in either case, have yet II
! learn that there was a mistake In making
| them known to the president.
| T. EWING