The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1865-06-01


tits true that non-combatants, men who
sleep in comfort and security while we
watch on the distant lines, are better able
to Judge than we poor soldiers, who rarely
seen newspaper, hardly can hear from our
families, or stop long enough to get our
pay. i envy not the task Of reconstruc-
ton, and am delighted that the Secretary
relieved me of it. AS you did not under
take to assume the management OF the ar
my, but on personal inspection your
mind arrived at different conclusion from
the Secretary of War, 1 will therefore go
on and execute your orders to their con-
sion, and when done, will with entire salts
faction leave to their authority the execu-
ton Of tasks which they seem to me so
jealous of; but as an honest man and SOL
der invite them to followmy path, for they
may see some things and hear some things
that may disturb their philanthropy.
With SINCERE respect,
Signed, w. r. SHERMAN, %
l'Ei - 'T' Major General Commanding.
To Lieut.. Gen. U. S. Grant, General-in-
Chief, Washington, ID. c. .tH A'N
p. S. As Mr.. Stantons singular papers
have been published, demand that this
also be made public, though am i'm no
manner responsible to the press but to the
law and to my proper superiors. 49,
(Slgned) w. Il. SHERMAN. ,
.-..... ..,.... New York, May 81.
Gen. Sherman explains his negotiations
with Gen. Johnson in his official report as
follows: 1t is substantially the same as
given before the committee on the conduct
ofthc war. lie met johnson, April 18th.
as arranged. The interview was frank
and soldicr-like. Gen. johnson gave him
to understand, that further war on the part
of the confederate troops was folly; that
the cause was lost and that every life ssa-
critied after the surrender of Lees army,
was the highest possible crime. Johnson
admitted the terms consitled to Gen. Lee
was magnanimouS and all he could ask.
but wanted some concession that would en-
able him to allay the natural fears and
anxieties of his followers and enable him
| to maintain his control over them until
they could be got back to their homes. He
also wanted to embrace in the same gen
eral proposition, the fate Of all the Ccnfcd-
crate armies that remained i'm existence. j
nevcrmade any concession as to his own
army, or assumed to deal finally and au-
thoritativclv III regard to any other; but il
did seem to- me that there was presented q
chance for peace that might be deemed val
liable to the government of the United
States, and was ut least worth the work
of few days that would be consumed in
reference thereto. To push an army whose
commander had SO frankly and honestly
confessed his inability to cope with me-,
were cowardly and unworthy the brave
men / led. ,fy ..trr.,,... ..,..,..r. ,..n
They met again on the 18th and renewed
the conversation. He says inaSlnuch as
! General Johnson did not feel authorized To
pledge his power over his army in Texas,
we adjourned to meet thencxt day ut noon.
I returned 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 desira-
BILE an end. All dreaded the weary and
laborious march after fugitive and dis
solving army back toward Georgia.. almost
! over the very country where We had toilcd
so long.
There was but one opinion expressC
| and if contrary ones were entertained, tho
were withheld or INDUCED i'm only by that
clrss who ::!!'ln the fight and tic marc!,.
but are loudest, brayeSt and iinrcest when
dangeY is past. 1 again met Gen. Johnson
on the lSth and we renewed the CONVEX.
sation: He satisfied me then of his power
/ IL. =
Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, as we'll
rs thoscin his Immediate command. name
ly, North Carolina, s. Carolina, Florida
and 6eo'gia. The point in which he ex-
pressed especial solicitudc was lest those
States were to he di$banded and denied
| representation in Congress. orany separate
political existence whatever, ard that All
solute disarlning of his men would leave
the South powerless and exposed 10 depre-
dations by wicked bands of asSassins and
robbers.
!. r 0E IL 81 r. = Sew York, Mav3I.
The Hcrald's Washington special saws
jeff. Davis is expected to arrive here to-
/ day, and will be arraigncd soon after his
arrival. 1.ongstreet has received peImiss-
ion to visit Washington on. private bust
ness. ...r ......a. ....f ...--.-r.
/ d. During the month the Treasurer placed
to the,credit OF the Paymaster General to
pay the soldiers $s5,5OO,0OO. All other r. :
4 QUESTIONS on the Treasury, have also been
promptly satisfied. . .......
i The Times Washngt, special says:
All Eastern troops belonging to Sherman's
army have been ordered to report to Gen.
Augnr, at Washington. The west I'm
iffr0OnS will in, nirI,t