Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-06-01
Explanation Of sherman's Neeotia,
lions with Johnston.

ston IN his official report ss follows, It ii
substantially the same as given before tn,
Committee on the Conduct Of the War:
He met Johnston April 10, as arranged
me interview was frank and soldierlike.-
Johnston gave him to understand that fur.
ther war on the part of the Confederate
troops was folly; that the cause was Iost
and that every life sacrificed after the SUR
render of Lees army, was the highest DOS.
sible crime. Johnston admitted the term
granted to Lee were magnanimous and all
he could ask, but wanted some concession
that would enable him to allay the natural
fears aud anxiety of his followers, aad en-
able him to maintain his control over them
until they could be got back to their homes.
de also wanted to embrace in the same
general proposition, the fate of all the Con
tederate armies that remained in existence.
VI never made any concession as to his own
army, or assumed to deal finally or aus
thorttatVely in regard to any other, brt It
did seem to me that there was presented a
chance for peace that might be deemed vail
liable to the Government of the United
States, and was at least worth the few DAYS
there would be consumed in reference
thereto' To push an army whose COM
mander had SO frankly and honestly con.
tessed his inability to cope with me, were
led" ---'A - :
They met again on the 18Th, and renew
ed the conversation. he says: "Inasrnuch
as Gsn. johnson did not feel authorized to
pledge his power over the armies of Texas.
we adjourned to meet the next day. at
noon. returned to Raleigh aud confer.
red freely with all my general officers
every one of whom urged me to conclude
terms that might accomplish 30 desirable
an end. All dreaded the weary and lsbo-
rious march, after fugitive and dissoly-
ing army, back towards Georgia, almost
over theTery country where we had tray..
eled 30 long. There was but one opinion
expressed, and ifcontrary ones were enter
famed they were withheld or INDUCED in
only by that class who shuu the fight and
the march, but are loudest, brayest and
nercest when danger is past. again met
Gen. Johnston on the 18th and We-reneWed
the conversation. He satisfied me then of
MS power to disband the rebel armies in
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tex
as as well as those in his Immediate
command, namely, North Carolina, South
oarollus, Florida and Georgia. The points
IN which he expressed especial solicitule
were lest those States were to be dismem.
bered and denied representation in Con.
gress, or any separate political existence
whatever, and that the absolute disarminp
OF his men would leave the South power.
less and exposed to depredations by wicked
bands OF assessing and robbers.
Psesiden Liucoln's message of 1864, his
amnesty proclamation, and Gen. Grants
terms to Gen. Lee, substantially extending
the benefits of that proclamation to all off
GERS above the rank of Colonel. and the
invitation to the Virginia Legislature to
reasonable In Richmond by Gen. WetzeI
With the approval of Mr.. Lincoln and Gen
irant, then on the spot, firm belief that
mad been lighting to re. establish the Con.
stitution of the United States and last
and not least, the general and universal
desire to close war which was any longer
without organized resistance, were the
leading facts that induced me to pen the
memorandum of April 18th, signed by nv
self and Gen. johnson. 1t was designed to
be and was 30 expressed on it's face ss a
mere basis for reference to the President of
the United States, the constitutional coms
mander.iu-ohief, to enable him if he chose
at one blow to dissipste the military power
of the confederacy, which had threatened
the national safety for years. 1t admitted
of notifications, alterations and CHANGE
4 had no appearance Of an ultima nm. and
BY no false reasoning can it be construed
into usurpation Of power on my part.
have my opinions on the questions in.
volVed aud will stand by the memoran-
dunn, but this forms no part of q military
report. The news of the assassination of
President Lincoln on the l4th of April re.
ported to me wrongly by telegraph as hay-
ing occurred on the 18th, reached me on
the 18th and was announced to NV com
mand the same day, in special field orders
No. 56. was duly impressed with it's ter
rible Atroeity and probable effect upon the
country, but when the property and inter
ests of millions still living were involved.
saw no good reason to change my course,
but thought rather to manifest real respeot
for his memory, by following, after his
death, that policy which, if living, / felt
certain he would have approved, or at least
not rejected with disdain. Up to that
hour had never read one word of instruc.
tons, advice, or counsel as to the plan or
policy of the government, looking to
restoration of peace on the part of the
rebel States of the South. Whenever
asked for an opinion on the points involv-
ed, 1 always eyaded the subject. Myletter
to the Mayor of Atlanta has been publish.
ed to the world and was not rebuked by
the War Department for it."
General Sherman then gives his ideas
upon reconstruction and refers to inter
views with Mr.. Stanton, in which the lat.
ter appeared to approve his sentiments and
had urged upon him the Importance of
bringing the war to close for financial
reasons.
On the 26th Mejor Hitchcock returned
accompanied by Gen. Grant and a mem.
Der of his staff, bringing information that
the memorandum was disapproved, and
ordered to give at once AZ hours notice
and resume hostilities at the end of that
time.
A Defending Contractor Sentenced.
WAsHIHsToN, Nay al General Orders
No. 6.l-A Naval Court Martial having