The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-06-28
shernlan,s OtEioial Renorl-

Gen. Sherman explains bis negotiations
| Gen. Johnston in his official report Atisf
stantially the same as givng before sile c2alE3tt
on the conduct of the var He met .ipanst,
| April II, as arranged. The !iteTFe" sas IRAN
and solder-like. Gen Johnston gave bim g
understand that further war on The part Of th,
Confederates was folly; that 5he cause Ta3 loss
and every life sacrificed after the suFFnder o
Lees army was the higt est possible crIrle.
Johnston admitted the terms conceded G
Gen. Lee were magnanimous, and al be con
ask, but wanted some concessions tta8 would
enable him to allay the natural fears ana ankle
ties of his followers, an3 enable him be riaiaEail
his control over them until they could BIZ gol
back to their homes. Healso wanted 10 6nbgaaa
in the same general proposition ting ts,a of als
Confederate armies who remained in 9z.s-eaae.
I never made any concession es To 4is own
army or assumed to del finally and a0slCfia-
lively in regard to any ether. But j. did seem
to me that there was presented chance for
peace that might be deemed valuable t1 -be
government of the Unitej States, and was ll
least worth the few day there would o8 con-
sumed in reference the.1t0. To push aa army
whose commander had so frankly aad honestly
confessed his inability to cope with me were
cOwardly and unworthy the brave men | led.
They met again on the 18th and renewed the
conversation. He says: Inasmuch as General
Johnston did not feel authorised to pledge his
power over the armies in Texas we adjourned to
meet the next day noon. Ireturned to Raleigh
and conferred freely with all my general officers,
every one of whom urged me TO conclude terms
that might accomplish so complete and desirable
an end. All dreaded the weary and labdrious
march after fugitive and dissolving army back
~ 1, 4
tarried so long. There was but one opinion ex-
pressed, and if contrary ones were entertained
they were withheld or INDUCED in only by that
class who shun the fight and the march, but are
the loudest, braVest aud fercest when the danger
is past.
l again met Gen. Johnston on the 18th, and
we renewed the conversation; he satisfied me
then of his power to disband the rebel armies in
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, as
well as those in the immediate command, namely:
North Carolina South Carolina, Florida and
Georgia. The points on which he expressed
especial soicitude were the list Of those States
that were to be dismembered and denied repre-
'entation in congress or any separate political
existence whatever, and that the absolute dis
lrming of his men would leave the south power
ess, and exposed to depredations by wicked
President Lincoln's message of 1864, his am
lesty proclamation and Gen. Grants terms to
5en Lee, substantially extending the benefits of
hat proclamation to all officers above the rank |
n colonel and the invitation to the Virginia
legislature 10 reassemble in Richmond by Gen. ,
" eitze, with the approval of Mr. Lincoln and /
len. Grant, then on the spot; firm belief chat I
had been fighting to reGstablish the constttu-
ion of the United States, and last, but not least
he general and universal desire to close che |
var without longer organised resistance were |
he leading facts that induced me to pen lhe |
memorandum Of April 18th, signed by myself |
md Gen. Johnston, designed, and expressed on
is face, as mere basis for reference to the |
resident of the United States and constitutional |
ommanderin-chief, to enable him, if he chose,
t one blow, to dissipate the military power of
he Confederacy, which threatened the national
afety for years. 1t admitted of notifications,
lterations and changes. 1t had no appearance
f an ultimatum, and by no false reasoning eau
! be construed into a usurpation of power on
ny part. | have my opinion on the question
involved, and will stand by the memorandum, but
his forms no part of military report.
The news of president Lincoln's assassination
n the 18th wrongly reported to me by telegraph
S having occurred on the 18th, reached me on
he 18th and was announced to my commandin /
pecal field order No. Sc. was duly impressed
nth its horrible atrocity and probable effect
Pon the country, but when the property and |
interest of millions still living were involved ! |
aw no good reason to change my course, but |
bought rather to manifest real respect for his |
memory by following after his death that policy |
fhich, if living, felt certain he would haze
pproved, or at least not rejected with disdaia.
Jp to that hour | had never received one word
instruction, advice or counsel as to the plan or
olicy of the government looking to a restora-
ion of peace on the part Of the rebel States of
be south. Whenever asked for an opinion on
nc points involved, had always evaded the
ubject Ny letter to the mayor of Atlanta has
cen published to the world and l was not re-
ulsed by the war department.
Gen. Sherman then gives his ideas upon re-
and refers to interviews with Mr..
tanton, in which the latter appeared to approve
is sentiments and had urged upon him the i'm
ortance of bringing the war to close for
nancial reasons.
On the Oath of April, Maj. Hitchcock returned
ccompanied by Gen. Grant and member of his
taft, bringing information that the memorandum
'as disapproved and orders to give at once the
hours notice and resume hostilites at
he close of that time. /
The following appointments have been made
y his Excellency Gov. Wells
Adolphe Bailey, judge of the eighth Judicial
nt Of 49,, -