The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-05-05

ouSi HVu care-a tail commanding figure
ana as ms large, cold, gray eyes looked out
as If with nerved sternness of defiance the
hundred questioning glances, 1 thought of Mo-
loch, proud, fallen angel-at last cast down by
superior power, but yet, though scathed. mn.
daunted. Apparently the conference was en-.
tirely between him and Sherman, Johnston
sitting apart by no means q curious listener.
but rather occupied with the spectacle outside
his eyes resting with interest upon the groups
of officers gathered here and there at the cor
ners of the clubhouse, and recumbent upon the
green sward between. Very soon Sherman
stepped to the door and called for his saddle
bags. Now, thought we, that means papers
and proposition documents and dialectatIon,
and all is going right; for if Johnston will stop
to deliberate, our old tycoon Is not only an
''invincible" general, but cOnsummate states
man, educated in both arts, dipped in the StyX
all over, and defies the devil himself to cope
with him in war o. diplomacy. Soon Johnston
disengaged himself entirely from the proceed
ings within, and stepping into The yard, ad-
dressed with kind expression o common SOL
dier, and entertained both the man and himself
with the inspection of Spencer carbine. This
little act spoke volumes. 1t was the act of
brave and noble heart lately misguided, now
ing to be a child again, ask pardon of God, and
submit himself, repentant but serene, to the
judgment of an injured but generous country.
Poor old man. of so much better metal than
the vile hands that made thee their tool,
90 thy way. But Hampton did not see fit
to be present to-day" His son was there,
however, and how sorry I was to find
his frank face, so much more genial than his
fathers, covering the same frantic principles
OF savage, Scotch-H Highland inveteracy, and
blood-thirsty, clanish hate, that ceases only in
death, whose hope is despair, and whose grave
is blood. ~ went into this war, " said he, with
the quiet, smiling earnestness of long settled
resolve {" for independence. and expected to
keep on fighting till succeeded or was killed.
l expect now to fight til I am killed" In
answer to question-''NO. l would not try
to induce my men to follow hopeless cause
to their own ruin. Those may 20 home who
viii, and those only remain who wish to stay,
feeling as do. I expect most of the cavalry
and much of the infantry to join us. We are
not yet prepared to think our cause utterly
hopeless. We do not yet despair of interven-
ton: You will invade Mexico, to depose Max
imilian, we will support him. You may be
sure we will help him if you oppose him, and
then Napoleon will take our part against you,
and we may yet by this means achieve our in.
dependence. At any rate we shall continue to
fight you, even without hope. 1t has now be-
come personal matter. Of property think
nothing, but my home has been violated, and
Souo VI NY hIuuieu Lave ialleu, ana 1eel
pound by ties most sacred to me to con-
tinue to the bitter end. I am Scotchman, and
admire that national trait which inspires indi-
viduals to hold fast their Identity" q modify
his language little to give its substance).
'Why," he asked, feeling so uncongenial as
you DO, do you not emigrate and enjoy that
sense of independence and identity abroad,
hope to enjoy at homer" "That wouldn't
do: I want to stay and fight" A southern
John Brown with vengeance, as expect he
discovered both interest and intelligence in
constitutional discussion. He declared can
didly that in his opinion the doctrine of seces.
sion had proved absurd and suicidal. There
could be no stability with such policy. But
ne seemed to considerit as in some way con-
sequence instead OF q contradiction of popular
government, which he declared to be essential.
ly tickle" He seemed particularly interest
ed by the assurance that even the radical party
OF the north, now the war drew to close
were inclined to leniency, and asked me to
read Henry Ward Beecher's sermon on this
point, published in the Laleigh Standard of
Monday; He also expressed deep regret at
the death of Mr.. Lincoln, whom he seemed to
appreciate as the best friend to the south the
north had. In fine, despite his faults-faults of
education and association, could not but e.
TEEN and admire his manly candor and chivalric
gentleness.
The first day of conference two long lines of
the privates from each army could be seen
converging across the field in rear to little log
hut distant about hundred yards, where they
stole to enjoy their own truce meeting. That
they were glad to come together this spectacle
left no doubt But the second day the rebel
escort were kept by their officers aloof at a
barricade, two hundred yards beyond, upon the
road: If this was to prevent intercourse. it
ialied, ior our boys, In numbers, struggled
IL Incl tod
communication over the barricade rails. One
bright lad came up as orderly to Col. Davis
Although he had only been in the service two
months he was already tired, and lonped for the
war to be over, though he had volunteered and
declared himself determined to fight to death.
unless Gen. Johnston, whom he admired and
loved, should surrender. He was but seven.
broken up by the war; wanted to resume his
lessons; wanted to get to work again. and
declared all he asked was twenty acres Of
ground to earn his living. He had iackknife
Ior when, perhaps, an army suffer- would
charge gu 30 in greenbacks. He said he had
given 800 confederate scrip for it.
Inc conference had now lasted three hours.
ton saved US from ennui. The time to sena.
rate was approaching. Officers were bnsv
plucklng leaves and flowers to bear awav %
trophies from the field of conference. have
q strawberry blossom whose associations viii
prove sweeter than if the fruit itself had fol.
lowed. A"" ioi-
The saddle-bags had been sent out and the
orderlies mounted, when the momentons arti.
cie which the General is said to prize more
than his boots, was again sent for. and our
parting for moment longer DELAYED. while
Maj. Andenreed, the Generals model a,d-de.
camp, related an amusing little incident con.
nected with the same saddle bags:
On one occasion, setting out by railroad. with
his staff, and before any of the staff baggage
mad reached the train, the old Tycoon. Who
like time and tide, or fate, waits for no man
when the march of events is ready called ont
70 the conductor. "Are the saddle-bags aboard2"
Yes" Go ahead, then" So two armies
saddle bags. nv
Johnston and Breckenridge came from the
mouse together. At the gate they both took
leave OF Sherman, the former courteously lift
ing bis hat again, as the day befsre also to the
rest OF US. Breckenridge, however, very stifiy
parted with Sherman only. and then strobe on
and through the gate toward his horse, with
out so much as glance deigned to meaner
mortals