, 1865-08-04
Part of Sherman's Report.

again met Gen Johnston on the 18th and
we resumed the conversation. He satisfied me
of his power to disband the rebel armies in AL
ALBANIA, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, as
well as those in his immediate command, viz:
North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The
points on which he expressed especial solicit
ude were lest their States were to be dismem-
bered and denied representation in Congress; or
any separate political existence whatever; and
the absolute disarming his men would leave the
south powerless and exposed to depredations by
wicked bands of assassins and robbers. The
Presidents Message of 1864; his amnesty proc
lamation; Gen Grants terms to Gen. Lee, sub
stantially extending the benefit of that procla-
nation to all officers above the rank of Colonies
the invitation to the Virginia Legislature to re-
assemble at Richmond, by Gen. Weitzel, with
the supposed approva! of Mr.. Lincoln and Gen.
Grant, then on the spot; and firm belief that
had been fighting to re-establish the Constltu-
ton of the United States; and last, but not
least, the general aud universal desire to close
a war any longer without organized resistance,
were the leading facts that led me to pen the
''memorandum" of April 18th, signed by my
| self and Gen Johnston. 1t was designed to be
and so expressed upon its face, as mere refer
ence to the President of the United States and
the Constitutional Commander-in- Chief, to en-
able him, if he chose at blow to dissipate
the power Of the Confederacy which had threat
ened the national safety for years. 1t admitted
of modification alteration and change 1t had
no appearance of an ultimatum; and by no false
reasoning can be construed into an usurpation
| of power on my part. | have my opinions on
the questions involved, but this forms no part
of military report.
Immediately my return to Raleigh l dis
patched one of my staff, Major Hitchcock to
Washington, enjoining him to be most prudent
and avoid spies and informers that would be
sure to infest him by the way, and to say moth
ing to anybody until the President could make
known to me his feelings and wishes in the mat
ter.
The news of President Lncoln's assassna-
tion on the l4th of April, (wrongly reported to
me as having occurred on llth) reached me on
the 7th, and was announced to my command
the same day. in order No Sc. l was duly in
formed of its horrible atrocity and probable eff
fects on the country. But when the property
and interests of millions still living were in
volved / saw NJ good reason why to change my.
course but thought to manifest real respect for
his memory by following, after his death, that
policy which if living felt certain he would
have approved or at least would not have re-
jected with disdain.
Up to that hour l had never received one
word of instruction, advice or counsel as to the
restoration of peace on the part of the rebel
States Of the South Whenever asked opin-
ion on the points involved, had always avoid
ed the subject My letter to the Mayor of At
lanta has been published to the world and l
was not rebuked by the War Department for it..
Ny letter to Mr. of Savannah, was shown by
me to Mr. Stanton before its publication, and
all that my memory retains Of his answer is that
he said, like my letters generally, 1t was suth-
GENTLY emphatic and would not be misunder-
stood. Both of these letters asserted my belief
that according to Mr.. Lincons proclamation
and Messages, when the people of the South had
laid down their arms and submitted to the law
full authority of the United States ipso facto the
war was over as to them; and furthermore, that
if any State in rebellion would conform to the
Constitution of the United States, cease war and
elect Senators and Representatives to Congress
if admitted (of which each house of Congress is
alone the judge) that State become instanter as
much in the Union as New York. Nor was
rebuked for these expressions though it was
universally known and commented at the
time. And again Mr. Stanton in person at Sa7
vannah, speaking of the terrific expense of the
war and the difficulty of realizing the money for
the daily wants of Government, impressed me
most forcibly with the necessity of bringing the
war to a close as soon as possible for financial
reasons. e.
Gen. Grant had directions from the President
to direct the military movements, and ex-
planned to him the exact position of the troops
and he approved Of it most emphatically; bat
he did not relieve me, or express wish to as
sumo command.
All things were in readiness, when on the
evening of the 25th, | received another letter
from Gen Johnston, asking another interview
to renew negotiations. General Grant not only
approved but urged me to accept, and appoint
ed a meeting at our former place at noon of the
26th, the very hour fixed for the renewal of hos
tlities. General Johnston was delayed by an
accident to the train but at p. m. arrived.
We then consulted, concluded and signed the
final terms of capitulation. These were taken
by me back to Raleigh, submitted to Gen. Grant
and met his immediate approval and signature.
Gen. Johnston was not even aware of the pres
ence of Gen. Grant at Raleigh at the time
There was surrendered to us the second great
army Of the so called Confederacy and though
undue Importance has been given to the so called
negotiations which preceded it, and rebuke and
public disfavor cast upon me wholly unwar-