The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-03-22
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, March "a, 1885

THE SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY PLAYED OUT-sTE-
PHENs HUNTER AND LEE NOTWITHSTANDING OF
THE SLAVES FAILURE.
The belief that the socaed Southern confederacy is
about to collapse and give up the ghost has taken possess
sion Of almost everybody here high government officials
not excepted 1t known by the administration that
Stephens has given up the cause and has said to Je
Davis that all is lost The hord Of tho Richmond pa
pers over his silence will not therefore, bg him out Of
his hiding place. Hunter has also informed Davis to the
same effect.
In addition TO those facts heretofore published in the
HERALD in General Lees views 1t is officially
known here that Lee is hopeless and Respondent 1t
that he looks upon the aming OF the negroes as
practically failure for the simple reason that the pas
aage Of the delayed so long that there no
time left to prepare them for battle. Besides,
he declares that the failure to provide for
the freedom Of those slaves made soldiers
makes the plan moro than useless With all TINS
staring him in the face the Union armies rapidly in
creasng and his gradually fading away he has an
nounced to Davis that he cannot hold Richmond month
longer
jeff Davis, who saw sufficiently clear the doom that
awaited them long ago the fall Of Fort Fisher and
then acknowledged to Blair that they were whipped IS
now stricken ready to do anything to get out
of his tight place.
President Lincoln fully believes that there will be no
more fighting OF any consequence and has full conf
dence that will surrender his army at no distant day
He is unwilling agree upon terms to let the rebel
leaders easy but says they will soon be glad TO &C
cept his Hampton Roads propostons-give up slavery,
lay down their arms return to the Union ana DehaVe
themselves like decent people hereafter The leaders,
he believes Will leave the country as soon as they ma
that they cannot secure TO ease their fall II s
probable that Mr. Lincoln will remain Arm on that point
PRESENTATION or suERIDAN's TROPHIES TO THE
The rebel battle flags captured by Sherdans braves at
Waynesboro during his recent famous raid along the
James river canal this morning presented to the
Secretary Of War; The flags borne by their captors
who belonged General Clusters cavalry divison and
most Of them the Second brigade, commanded by COL
VIM Wells First Vermont cavalry. The detachment or
flag captors was under the command of Major H. b.
Compton, Eighth New York cavalry, who was himself
the captor of General Eary's headquarters flag. The
rebel trophies fifteen in NUMBER and IN addition
70 the headquarters nag taken by Major Compton, were
captured by the following officers and men-Captain G.
G. Bru:on, Aiddc-C Camp General Custer, Second New
York cavalry; Lieutenant s. Kccder, Eighth New York
cavalry: Lieutenant r. Niven Eighth New York cavalry
Sergeant james Conkn, Eighth New York cavalry Ser
geant r. Bouvere, First Virginia cavalry Corporal H.
II. Bickford Eighth New York cavalry; Corporal H.
Harvey Twenty second cavalry; private G. Ladd
Twenty second cavalry; private G. Anderson, First
New York cavalry private W. Carman, First New
York cavalry; private p O'Bricn First New York cav
airy private NJ Crowley Twenty second New York
cavalry; private c. A. Cohen Eighth New York cavalry
private John Miller, Eighth New York cavalry
The presentation Innde in the public room Of the
War Department, In tho presence of number of dis
tnguished persons among whom were Assistant Secre-
try OF War; Charles Dana, Assistant Adjutant General
Ed Townsend Senator Ira Harris of New York. Senator
Jacob NJ. Howard, of Michigan, and Mrs Custer, the
beautiful young wife Of the gallant commander Of tho
cavalry division by which these trophies were won
The ceremony began BY Major Compton handing to
Secretary Stanton letter from General Sheridan, mar
rating the gaantry Of the bearers Of these battle flags
and asking each Of them furlough of thirty days
The letter read aloud BY the Secretary, and then
each of the flag bearers presented in turn and
rated the history of the trophy he presented These
narratives given in the graphic of the soldiers
were interesting and amusing. The Secretary asked
each his place of residence and the time ut which he had
entered the service, and ascertang that Sergeant
Bouverie of West Virginia, had taken up arms Mt tho
very outbreak Of the rebellion and proposed to light 1t
through to the end he remarked that no soldier In the
Union army had done.bettcr service than those Of West
Virginia and he commended Sergeant Bouvcre for the
spec nj devotion lie had shown by his long service al
ready given, and his pledge for the future. Each OF
the heroes then introduced 10 Mrs Custer and to
Senator Harris.
When the presentation ceremony was concluded, Mr..
Stanton address the knot OF brave fellows follows:
oPticrns AND soInfrHs-In the of the President
and If the people of the United States IL Is my pleasant
duty to return You thanks for the gaantry and courage
| that have from the commencement been displayed by
yourselves and the commands which attached.
This believe, Is the fourth time that have had the
pleas re OF ceving flags taken IN battle by General
Shcridan's command, and occasion has more sig
nal service been rendered to the than that
which brought about the capture OF these flags To you
hYnsn ruHn in m
OF the President and the people, return thanks The
quest Of your General that leaves and sghs DO given
you and that you be paid the amount due you II
i be granted, and you will each be awarded medal Of
honor voted by Congress for gallant and meritorous
serv this wish that you may all safely reach
! your homcs-that you may have y asant time with
your mothers, wives and sweethearts-that you may re-
turn to your comrades in renewed s,rength-that you
4 may be spared TO witness the tna overthrow OF the
enemy you have fought many fields, and the re.
establishment in perpctuy Of the Union Of the States.
When the applause with which these remarks re-
ceved had subsidized Scnator Howard was introduced as
the representative of the State of Michigan the residence
of General Custer who expressing great delight in sbar
ing with them the honor glory OF the OCCASION said
OFFICERS AND soLpERs-rn the Of the people OF
my State the immediate fellow citizens Of General Gus
ter beg you their and my most sincere thanks
He was followed by Senator Harris, who Said
This, gentlemen, is proud day for feel more
proud than ever that can represent body OF men such
You are representing here to-day. IL s one Of the
prondcs days Of my life TO know that New York can send
|
and your comrades who present such evidence Of
gallantry, courage and service 10 the country. thank
you gentlemen, all Of you for what you have done for
| the country and FOR our native State.
The flags then deposited, and their bearers
marched Of to enjoy their well won furoughs.
| In addition to the rebel battle flags two head.
quarters flags Of General Earyone presented to him
the very day Of It's capture and two Of General Crooks
headquarters flags rccaptured at waynesboro
NO PASSES TO THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC TO oh
| ISSUED.
Orders were issued today TO issue passes Ia
civilians 10 visit the Army the Potomac for the present
The suffers have all been ordered TO the rear numbe
/ OF them have already arrived here.
PAT FOR THE ARMS BROUGHT IN BIZ REBEL pI
l. sERTnRs.
special requiston has been madc by General Gran
sor onAv nav for he bkouahk into our lima