The weekly union record., 1865-04-29
Shermans Peace Negotiations.


WAsHIseros, A pril Yesterday evening.
q bearer of dispatches arrived from Sherman's
army. An agreement for suspension of hos
tiities, and the memorandum Of what is called
basis for peace, had been entered into. on
April 9th. by General Sherman With the rebel
General Johnston. The rebel General Breck
inridge was present st the conference.
Cabinet meeting was held at eight O'Clock in
the evening. at which the action Of General
Sherman was diSapproved By the President.
Secretary of War. General Grant and esery
member OF The Cabinet. Sherman was ordered
to resume hostiliiies Immediately, and was
directed that the Instructions given by the late
President 10 the following telegram, which was
penDed By Lincoln himself, at the Capitol. on
the night of the 81 Of March, were approved
by President Johnson, and were reiterated to
govern the action of our military command
ers- On the night OF the 81 of March, while
President Lincoln and his Cabinet were at the
Capitol q telegram from Grant was brought
10 the Secretary of War, informing him that
Lee bad requested sn interview or conference
to make al arrangement for terms of peace.
The letter of Lee was published in 8 letter from
Davis 10 the rebel Congress. Grants telegram
was submitted TO Mr.. Lincoln who. after pom
dering few moments, took up his pen and
wrote with his own hand the following reply,
which be submitted to the Secretary of War
and Secretary of State 1t was then dated.
addressed aud signed by the Secretary of War
and telegraphed TO Grant:
"WAsBlNGros, March 8, lS65.-Lieutenau
General Grant: The President directs me to
say 10 you that be wishes you not TO have the
conference with General Lee, unless it De for
the capituation of Lees army or on some
minor and purely military matter. He instructs
me TO say that you are not to decide, discuss or
confer upon any political questions. Such
questions The President holds in his own hands.
and will submit them to no military conference
or conventions. Meantime, you are to press,
TO the utmost, your military advantages.
STANTON"
WASHINGTON, April pas reports have
been in circulation for some time of CORES
pondence between Generals johnson and
Sherman, the memorandum or basis OF what
was agreed upon and the result are as follows
Memorandum or basis of agreement made
this 18th day of April, 1865, near Durham's
Station n. CO. by and between General
Johnston, commanding Confederate army. and
Major General Sherman, commanding the army
OF the United States 10 North Carolina, both
present: First-The contendng armies now in
the held to maintain their stdtu quo until notice
is given by the commanding General of either.
when reasonable time-say forty eight hours
will be allowed Second-The Confederate
armies now IN existence to be disbanded and
conducted to their several State Capitals, there
to deposit their arms aud public property in
the State arsenal, aud each officer and man TO
execute and tile an agreement to cease from
acts OF war and abide the action of both State
and Federal authority; the number of arms
and the munitions Of war to be reported 10 the
Chief of Ordnance al W ashington CITY, subject
to the future action of the Congress OF the
United States, and in the meantime TO be used
solely to maintain peace and order within the
borders oil the States respectively. Third
Recognition by the Executive of the United
States OF the several State Governments, and
their officers and legislatures, upon taking the
oath prescribed by the Constitution of the
United States; and where conflicting State
Governments have resulted from the war. the
legitimacy OF all shall be submitted to the Su-
preme Court of the United States. Fourth
The re-establishment of all Federal Courts in
the several States, with powers as defined by
the Constitution and laws of Congress. Fifth
The people and inhabitants of all the States
to be guaranteed, so far as the Executive can.
their political rights and franchises, as well as
their rights OF person and property. as defined
by the Constitution of the United States and
of the States respectively. SiAth-Tbe Exec
utive authority Of the Government of the
United States is not TO disturb any of the
people by reason Of the late war, so long as
they live in peace and quiet, abstain from acts
of armed hostility, and obey the laws in exist
ence at any place of their residence. Seventh
In general terms, this was TO have declared
a general amnesty, so far as the Executive
power Of the United States can command, or
on condition of he disbandment of the CoDfed-
crate armies. and their return to their farms
and resumption of peaceful pursuits by the
officers and men hitherto composing said armies
Not being fully empowered by our respective
principals to fulfill these terms, we individually
and officially pledge ourselves promptly to
obtain the necessary authority and to carry out
the above programme. SHERMAN,
Com. U. S. Army in North Carolina.
j. +. JOHNSTON,
Com. S. C. Army in North Carolina.