The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1865-06-14
eSHERMAN,S OFFICIAL
REPORT.
His Account Of his Armistice
with Johnston.

( Z /. / ~
with Johnston.
II "a SPIRITED IMMIGRATION.
General Sherman explains bis negotia-
tions with General JohIston 10 bis of1iciaI
report 1t is substantially the Same az "a,
4 en- before the Committee on the conduct Of
sthe war. He metz Johnston April Eth, as
arranged. The Interview was frank and
soldier-like. General Johnston gave lin 10
understand that further war on the part Of
tie Confederates was folly; that the cause
vas lost, aud every life sacrificed after the
as,srsender oil Lees army was the highest pos
-sible crime.
Johnston admitted the terms conceded to
General Lee were magnaninous, ard all he
could ask, but wanted some concessions
that would enable him to ailay the natural
fears apd aDSleties of his followers, and efa
bic him 10 maintain his control over them
until they could he got back to their homes.
He also wanted TO embrace in the same gen
reral proposition the fate OF all Confederate
armies who remained in existence.
never mad any concession as to his own
army or assumed 20 deal finally and authori-
tatively in regard to any other. But it did
seem 10 me that there wds presented a
chance fer peace that might be deemed val
liable to the Government of the United
States, and was al least wolth the few days
there would be consumed in reference there.
tO. 70 push an army whose commander
had so frankly and honestly coiifessed his III.
ability to cope with me were c0wardly and
unworthy the brave men led.
They met again OH the 18th and renewed
the conversation. He says: In. aslaueh az
aGenesal Johnston did not feel santborigetl
s,to pledge bis power over the armiesin1 Texas
We adjourned TO meet thesnext day at noon.
Iretnrned to Raleigh and conferred freely
with all my general officers every CHE Of
whom urged me o-fconclule terms that
might accomplish so complete undesirable
AN end. All dreaded the weary and laborious
march after fugitive and dissolving army
back towards Georgia the very country.
where we had tarried so long. There was
but one opinion expressed, and il contrary
zones were entertained they were withheld OF.
INDUCED in only by that class whoshu1 the
fight and the march, but are the loadesl !,
bravestand fiercest when the danger is past.
] again met General Johnston OH the 18th,
and we renewed the conversation; he salts
Ged me then of his power todisband the rebel
armies in Alabama, Mississippi. Louisiana,
and Texas, as well as those in his immediate
command, namely: North Carolina, South
Carolina. Florida, and Georgia. The points
! on which he expressed especial solicitude
we're the list of those States that were TO be
dismembered and denied representation in
Congress or any separate political existence
whatever, aud that the absolute alarming
tofhis pien would lea re- the South poweress.
and exposed to depredations by wicked
bands OF assassins and robbers. ~
President Lincolns message of 1854, his
amnesty proclamation and General Grants
/ trims to General Zee, substantially extend
ing the benefits OF that prociama ion to az
officers above the rank of Colonel. and the
Invitation to the Virginia Legislature TO re-.
assemble in Richmond by General Weitzel.
with the approval Of Mr. Lincoln and Cen
eral Grant, then ON the spot; firm belief
that lliad bpenifghtiug to. reestablish the
Constitution Of the United States, and las,
but not least, the general and universal de.
sire TO close the war without longer organ
ajzed resistance, were the leading facts that
induced me to pen the memorandum Of
April 18th, signed by myself and General
.JohDston, designed, and expressed on its
face, as o mere basis sfor reference to the
President of the United States and Gonsti.
tutional Commander-in-chief to enable him
If he chose, at one blow, to dissipate the mil.
'1tarv power Of the Confederacy. which
threatened the National safety for years. 1T
admitted OF notifications, alterations aud
changes. II bad no appearance of an uiti-
NAHUM and by no false reasoning can 1t be
!. Construed into ausurpation Of power Oh my
part. 1 have MY opinions on the question
involved, and will stand by the memorandum.
but this forms no part Of a military report.
The news OF President Lincoln's assassi-
nation on the l4th4 wrongly reported to me
by telegraph as having occurred on the l1,h,
reached Inc Oh the l7tlrautl was announced
to my command in special field order No.
Sc. Twas duly impressed with its horrible
:atrocity and probable effect upon the coun.
Try. but when the prop rty and interest of
millions still living were involved. / saw no
good reason to change my course, but
thought rather to manifest real respect for
his memory by following afterh his death that
policy which, fiising, I felt certain he
would have approved, or at least not reject
ed with disduin. Up to that honr | 'had
never received one word Of instruction, ad
vice or counsel as to plan or policy Of the
Government locking TO a resloration Of
peace on the part Of the rebel States Of the
South. Whenever asked for an opinion on
the points inyoIyed. / had always eyaded
the subject. Mysletter to the Mayor Of AtsI
laRta has been published to the word and II
'wasnot repulsed by the War Department.
General Sherman then gives his ideas up
on reconstruction, and refers 10 interviews
with Mr.. Stanton, in which the latter APP
peared to approve his sentiments and had
urged upon him the importance of bringing
the war to a close forH6naneial reasons.
On the 24th Major Hitchcock returned
accompanied by Geuera' Grant and mem.
Der of his staff, bringing information that
the memorandum WAS dSaDDroycd and f,r