The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1865-08-22
General wade Hampton and
General Joe Jaiustou.


General Joe Jehuston.
Mayor Nicbols in bis Story Of the
Great March, las The following
about TIE meeting of General Sber.
man and the rebel generals
The day Of this conference Mon.
day, April IL will be memorable IN
the history Of the war. The iratri-
cidal struggle OF four long and weary
years virtually ended when two great
men came together 10 the heart oi the
Stale Of North Carolina, intent, with
true nobility Of soul and the highest
interests Of humanity, upon putting a
stop to the needless sacrifice of life.
This conference was not held alter
days Of bloody battle when the heay-
ems had been rent with the roar of ar
tillery, the scream Of she'll, and the rat.
tie and crash of musketry, bat under
better auspices than than thesr.
As General Sherman rode past his
picket line upon that sunny spring
morning, the ear was not panied by the
means and cries Of mangled men, but
the fresh breeze came laden with the
fragrance OF the pInes, OF apple blos-
SONS, of lilies, roses and yioleis. The
I eye rested upon thousand forms Of
beauty for the rains and warm sun
had quickened into lite countless buds
and Towering. plants, until the hilLsides
and glens and bushes were brilliant in
their robes Of delicate green. Here
and there in the forest, the deep toned
evergreen Of some sturdy old pine or
cedar was displayed in dark relief
against the lresher yerdure but the
| prevailing tone Of earth and sky was
pregnant with the loving promise Of
spring. The scene was symbolic Of the
new era of peace just beginning to
dawn upon the nation.
The two generals met upon the road
warmly greeting each other with ex-
tended hands. On the brow Of the hiA
a lew yards further ON there was
farmhouse, to which they repaired for
consultation, while the general officers
and stats who accompanied their
respective chiefs tell, after few mo-
ments, into amicable conversation.
Fitzpatrick and Wade Hampton soon
got TO lighting their cavalry battles
over again, contented this time with
making it only war Of words.
On this occasion | had my first view
of the Confederate Generals. The
study Of their manners and personal
appearance was decided pleasure,
for we had heard so much Of their
characteristics that curiosity had be-
come wheited.
Wade Hampton, large and pow
erful man, gave but little opportunity
for a critical examination Of the erac-
es OF his person; for during the morn
ing he lay stretched, in an Indifferent
manner, upon an old carpenters bench
by the side OF the house and when
he afterwards followed his superior
olt Of the inclosure, dangling after
him an immense sword which must
have been imported for the occasion,
either nature or his tailor,or both gave
him an appearance of vulgarity and
clumsiness which surprised those who
had been educated TO believe that
South Carolinian who owned many
slaves was necessarily an elegant and
refined gentleman. 1t should be said
Of Hamptons face---that is, what could
be seen OF 1t behind a beard which was
unnaturally black for a man fifty years
Of age-that il seemed bold even be-
yond arrogance; and this expression
was, if possible, intensified by the
boastful ianiaronade which he contin-
ued during the whole period Of the
conference.
General Johnston, whom we had an
opportunity Of observing later in the
day. is man Of medium height and
striking appearance. He was dress
ed in neat, gray uniform, which har-
monized gracefully with a full beard
and mouslache OF siIvery whiteness,
partly eoncealing a genial and gener-
Gus mouth, that must have become
habituaied TO a kindly smile. His
eyes, dark brown in color, varied in
expression, now intense and sparkling
and then soft with tenderness, or
lwinkling with humor, The nose was
Roman, and the forehead full and
prominent The general cast Of fea-
lures gave an expression Of goodness
and maBliness, mingling a fine nature
with the decision and energy Of the
capable soldier. These were my inn
pressions Of Gen. Joe Johnston, as |
saw bin, now asserting 70 some prop
ositions Of Gen, Sherman, put forth IN
his acute, energetic manner, or when
in conversation with a brother officer
Of The old army, Gen. Barry, met
here for The first time in many years.
-+~---~s4-e-~-s~s.s-s---
a nervous youth was recently ask
cd tea table, where there were sew.
eral fine girls slipping Twankay, what
he thought of a certain young lady
who was then absent 'Oh. said he,
she Is the planest woman ever saw
IN nv life. Present company Al ways