The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-06-09
SHERMAN'S REPORT.
Official Report Of the Closing
Movements Of His
Grand Campaign.
The Pursuit Of JOs,nsOn---The
Conference and the
Results. vi.
Stanton and Halleok Shown Up.

Below we give the material points of the
Generals report.
General Sherman's report is dated at City
Point, Virginia, May 2, and is addressed to
General Rawlings, Chief of Staff. Washington.
The General states that his last official report
brought the history of the events connected
with his army down to the LIST of April, at
which time all his forces were in North Caro-
lina busily engaged in repairing the wear and
tear of the campaign and replenshing stores.
He had previously notified General Grant that
the 10th of April would be the earliest possible
moment at which he could hope to have the
army in readiness for a new forward move-
ment. BY diligent use of the railroads, all was
ready on the 10th of April and in the mean
time Stoneman's cavalry had struck the rail-
road about Greensboro, destroying the line to
Salisbury, with the bridges, culverts depots
and all kinds of rebel supplies; and extending
the breach down to the Catawba bridge. This
was fatal to the armies Of Lee and Johnston,
who depended on that road for supplies ard as
their ultimate line of retreat. Wilson's caval-
ry was operating simultaneously, with disas-
trous effect, upon the enemy's communion
tions in Alabama.
CHANGE or PLAN.
General Sherman adds
Lieut. General Grant, in immediate command
of the armies about Richmond, had taken the
initiative in that magnificent campaign, which
In less than ten days completed the evacuation
of Richmond and resulted in the destruction
and surrender of the entire rebel army of Vir-
ginia under command of Gen. Lee. The news
of the battles about Petersburg reached me at
Goldsborough on the 9th of April. Up to
that time my purpose was to move rapidly
northward, feigning on Raleigh, and striking
straight for Burkesville, thereby intcrposing be-
tween Johnston and Lee. But the suspicious
events in Virginia had changed the whole mil
itary problem, and In the expressive language
of Lieut.. General Grant, the Confederate ar
mics of Lee and Johnston became the strategic
points. General Grant was fully able to take
care of the former, and my task was to destroy
or capture the latter.
Johnston at the time, April 6, had his army
we'll in hand about Smithfeld. estimated his
infantry and artillery at thirty-ive thousand
(35 000), his cavalry from six to ten thousand
5000 to 10, 00O; he was superior to me in cav
airy, SO that held Gen. Fitzpatrick in reserve
at Mount Olive with orders to recruit his
horses and be ready to make a sudden and
rapid march on the 10Th of April.
At daybreak on the day appointed, all the
heads of columns were In motion straight
against the enemy. Johnston had rapidly re-
treated across the Neuse River, and having his
railroad to tighten up his trains, could retreat
faster than we could pursue. Rains had also
set 10, making the resort to corduroy absolutely
necessary to pass even ambulances. The en-
envy had burned the bridge at Smithfield, and
as soon as possible Major General Slocum got
his pontoons and crossed over a division of the
14th corps.
News now arrived of the surrender of Lee !;
Sherman dropped his trains and marched rap.
idly In pursuit of Johnston; and by the 10Th
the position was as follows:
Major General Slocum had the 14th corps,
Brevet Major General Davis, commanding
near Martha's Vineyard. with pontoon bridge
laid across Cape Fear River at Avon's Ferry /;
with the Goth corps, Major General Mower
commanding, in support and Major General
Howard had the 18th and 18th corps stretched
out on the roads towards Pittsborough, while
General Fitzpatrick held Durham Station and
Capitol Hill University. Johnston's army was
retreating rapidly on the roads from Hills
borough to Greensborough, he himself at
Greenborough."
Two days afterward Sherman received John.
ston's proposal for conference, and the report
proceeds to describe ....
THE FIRST INTERVIEW WITH JOHNSTON.
agreed to meet Gen. Johnston in person
at q point intermediate between our pickets on
me 18th, at noon provided the position of the
troops remained statu quo. / was both will
ing ana anxious to consume few days, as it
Moaa enable Col Wright to finish our rail-
roaa 10 Raleigh. Two bridges had to be built
anu Twelve miles OF new road made. We had
no IRON except by taking up the branch from
Goiosoorough TO Weldon. Instead of losing
of d Sne canned IN every way, for every hour
Oh delay possible was required to reconstruct
tHe taI'load 10 our rear and improve the con-
oition OF our wagon road to The front so de-
sira6e IN case the negotiations failed and We
De forced 10 make the race of near two hmm.
dred miles to head off or catch Johnston then
retreatiug toward Charlotte 'nen
Al noon OF the day appointed I mo, coror,,
Johnston Tor the first time in nv life sIthn,nh
we had been exchanging shots continn aisuousn
May. 1868. Our interview was tranI - my '
dicrlike, and he gave me to unders,.nSu s Ioi
further war on the part of the ConfaJ...lnssHs
troops was folly; that the cause" was In.,
and thai every lie sacrificed after the snrra,,,
der OF Lees army WAS the highest possible
crime. He admitted the terms conceded ~
General Lee were magnanimous and all he
could ask; but he did want some general con.
cession. that would enscle him to a.lay the
natural fears and auyietieS of his followers and