The Opelousas courier., 1865-05-13


the colored troops who were to kill their officers
and take possession Of the city, and then put
/ to death every white male inhsbtant. Ten of
thesleaders are now in Jail and four or five have
been shot. The white troops are exasperated.' -
aEs.s-. -~-~>~>>~~>--->~>~>~~---~~~ Is
Washington, April 22-Reports have been in
circulation for some time of correspondence be.
tween Gems. Sherman and Johnston as to the un-
derstanding or base of what was agreed upon
between these two generals, and the results Of
| which are as follows: s4a
q ''The basis of agreement made this 18th day of
| April. 1865, near Duncharm's Station, in the
State Of North Carolina, by and between Gen
| Jos y. Johnston, commanding the Confederate
forces, a. d Gen. VIM. T. Sherman, commanding
the arm, of the United States in North Carolina,
both present, is as follows:
"lst. The Confederate armies now in the field
TO maintain their State guards until notice is
given by the commanding general of either one
to its opponents reasonable time, say four
hours, allowed. 7@2 r q 1'&
"2 The Confederate armies in existence to be
disbanded and consolidated in their several State
capitals, there to deposit their arms and public
property in the State arsenals, and each officer
and man to execute an agreement to cease all
acts OF war, and abide by the action of both State
and Federal authority The number of arms and
munitions Of war 10 be reported to the Chief of
e)rdnance at Washington City, subject to the
further action of the Congress of the United
States, and in the meantime to be used solely to
maintain peace and order within the borders of
the States respectively.
"3. The recognition of the Executive Of the
United States by the several State governments,
in their officers and Legislators, in taking the oath
haT t,yy<f <f,a g A. y-s4
States. And where conflicting State govern
ments have resulted from the war, the legitimacy
of all shall be submitted to the Superior Court
of the United States.
-. The establishment of all Federal courts
in all the States, with powers as defined by the
Constitution and laws Of Congress.
"Ihe people and inhabitants of all the States
to be guaranteed so far as the Executive can,
their political political rights and franchise, as
well as their rights of person and property as
defined by the Constitution of the United States
respectively.
IS. The Executive authority of the Govern
ment OF the United States not to disturb any of
the people by reason of the late war, SO long as
they remain in peace and quiet, and abstain
from all acts of armed hostilities and obey the
laws in existence at their residence. @ yg.g
"a, In general terms, war to cease, general
amnesty, so far as the Executive power of the
United States can command, or on condition of
the dlsbandment of the Confederate armies and
the distribution OF arms and the resumption of
peaceful pursuits by officers and men of and here
tofore composing the said armies, and not being
empowered by our respective principals to fulfill
other terms, we individually and officially pledge
ourselves to obtain the necessary authority to
carry carry out 3. the above progrep@s. sw r s,,,.,,
Mag. Gen. Comdg u. S. A. in N. G..
Jos. Il. JOHNSTON,
s4Gen. Comd'g. C. s. A. in N. C."
This proceeding of Gen. Sherman's was disap-
proved for the following among other reasons:
!. 1t was an exercise of authority not vested
in Gen. Sherman, and he and Johnston knew
that he (Sherman) had no authority to enter into
any such arrangement.
2 1t was practical acknowledgement of the
rebel government lss.-.f''s -" I"
B. It undertook to establish the rebel Stat
Government, that had been oyerthrown At the
sacrifice of many thousand loyal lives, and an
immense treasury expended
q. by the restoration kof the rebel authorities
in the respective States they would be enabled 70
reestablish slavery.
5. Il might furnish ground of responsibility
debts. s. s4,. III S.1tl,l' : 4 - "A
o.. II would put in dispute the existence Of
loyal state Government and the new State of
Western Virginia. which has been recognized by
every department of the u. g. Government.
q. Il practically abolishes the confscasion
laws, and relieves rebels Of every degree who
have slaughtered our people,
O. + gave terms that had been repeatedly and
solemnly rejected BY President Lincoln.
y. 1t formed no basis of true and lasting peaee.
bns relieved the rebels from the pressure Of our
victories and left them in condition to renew.
then efforts to overthrow the u. S. Government. !!
and snbdue the loyal States whenever their
strength was recruited. ifaH H i.f5EE@ /
Prospects and Plans. 4
To say that there are no clouds in the m;lit,rv |
hOriZOn, would not be Correct. I'VE hara r.nI