The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1865-04-29
General Sherman.

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Gen. Sherman has committed tour pas
in plain English, made a blundcr, which
may cost him much of his military reputa-
ton. Instead of sticking to his trade as a
soldier, he has undertaken the difficult role of
diploiaatis', and has sis,.ally failed. The
last weeks news from Sherman is to about
the following purport:
About the 18th or 18th inst, the rebel
General Johnston, learning OF Lees sur
render, and seeing probably. like a man OF
sen G, that there was no more hope for the
Southern Con:edcracy, opened a correspond
ence with Gen. Sherman, proposing to sur
render his army on terms something like
those granted to Gen. Lee, requesting Sher-
man to send dispatch TO Washington to
have the proposition accepted. Sherman
replied that it was Unnecessary, as he was
empowered to act. Johnston then proposed
an interview, which took place next day.
At this interview, Johnstoa's first question
was, what terms would be accorded to MEM
bers Of the rebel government Sherman said
b: could recognize no such government, but
was prepared to treat with Johnston, as COM
mander of the insurgent forces. This inter
view occupied the day, and no conclusion
was arrived at. Next day second meeting
was had. at which Breckenridge was also
allowed to be present, not as Secretary of
War, but as q Major General of the rebel
government
AT this interview Sherman permitted the
introduction of propositions which obviously
went far beyond his powers. Instead of
treating merely for the surrender of john
ston's army, he proposed to settle the whole
question OF peace or war, reconstruction, the
status Of the rebclious states-in short, to
do Up the whole business Of the President
and Cabinet at Washington, with Congress
thrown in. The substance of his agreement
with Johnston, Breckenridge, &C., flor even
jeff Davis i. said to have bad Il hand in it,
is thus stated:
lst. 4 truce or suspension Of hostilities
for twelve DAYS.
ID. Permission TO the rebel troops, instead
Of surrendering their arms upon the spot, to
carry them to their several State Capitals, to
be deposited III rebel arsenals, and then n axe
such report of their number, &C., as they
may see proper to the Chief of Ordnance at
Washington.
Sd. Recognition IF tie rebel State Gorer,s.
ments
4th. Pledging the National Executive TO
extend to the rebel leaders, ne matter how
guilty, a complete amnesty for all offences
during the war for the purpose of
overthrowing the Government!
When Sherman, despatch, announcing the !
fact of his having entered into such an ar.
with Johnston reached Stanton, |
it is said "a blue streak is no name at all |
for the swearing to which he gave vent. OF
course, the Whole thing was instantly disap- |
proved, and Sherman ordered TO recon-
mence hostilities forthwith And tor fear |
Sherman might hesitate or lie slow about it,
Gen. Grant was posted off to Raleigh to see |
to the business in person. As Shermans |
arrangement not only included his own army
and that Of J Jhnsion, but all the feiera for |
ces on the ona side, and all the rebel forces I
Oh the other, orders had to be sent from
Washington to Cen Meade, Wright, Sherl |
dan, Candy, Be. to pay no attention to Sher- |
man orders, and it is needless to say. the |
orders were sent.
Tie worst feature of the matter is. that |
during the six or eight days during which |
this truce lasted Of necessity, before it could |
he can..~-.-.a.l.--l rr-..sr.I..,.y..,
believed Jof Davis SUI cecdsd in getting his |
$40, O00, 900 to $l3, 900, 900 of specie be had
in his flight left at GoldsborO to a safe place,
and may himself have found an open door
to escape with his booty from the county
wilson, Thomas, Candy, AID all the COM
nanders of federal armies in the Southwest
and on the Mississippi have been directed to
take special means to intercept the rebel
chief. with their plumber, if possible.