The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-12-10


our fire The infantry of The First Corps
were posted TO defend the artillery (it was
afterward told by men Of the Second
Corps that they had received orders to
strip TO the waists), but the signal for the
bombardment was never given, and orders
came TO retire within the breastworks, as
the proposed attack had been given up by
Gen. Lee, who fpai ea that the numerous
inhabitants remaining within the town
would suffer alike with the enemy.
JOHN sToN's SURRENDER TO SHERMAN.
Tile Spu.t Of the Times has the follow
ing story about the celebrated Johnston
Sherman Convention, which shows, if it
is true, that the author of that agreement
WAS not Gen. Sherman, but President
Lincoln
On the 9th of March, 1865, two or
three days before the final movement
upon Richmond, Gen. Sherman, fresh
from his march TO the sea, arrived at
City Point, for the purpose of comforting
with the President ard the General-in-
Chief MIR Lincoln was then on board
the gunboat Queen, and on that day an
interview took place on tie boat between
the President, Gen Grant, Gen. Sher-
man, and Admiral David ID. Porter -
From one OF the parties to this interview
a gentleman Connected with The Spirit o. f
the Times obtained n verbal narrative of
what took place. There was no pledge
of secrecy, and we feel that we violate no
obligation in making public the substance
of it ''Mr. Lincoln said that narrator,
chad come down to City Point with the
most liberal views toward the Rebels, and
was willing that they should capiIulate on
almost any terms. His heart was tender>
ness throughout, and AS long as the enemy
laid down their arms, he did not care how
it was done. After hearing from Sher-
man description of his position, he pro
posed that the same terms should be Of
fered 10 Johnston that would have been
given TO Lee To this Gen. Sherman
strenuously objected, declaring that he
had Johnston cOUped up where he could
not get away, and that he would be COM
PEELED to surrender at all hazards, whats
ever terms we proposed l never saw
him more energetic in my life than while
lie was arguing this point; bot Mr..
Lincoln leaned toward mider measures,
fearing that the Confederate General
would escape South by the railroads and
lave TO be chased again. Sherman de-
ciared this to be impossible. Il have
johnston SAID he, where he cannot
move without breaking up bis army,
which, once disbauded, can never be cot
together again. The Southern railroads
are all broken up l have destroyed
them SO that they cannot be used for a
long time
.'Gen. Grant asked what is to pres
vent their lay ing the rails again ?
"'Why,' said Sherman, my bummers
don't do things by halves. Every rail
has been placed over hot fire and twist
ed as cooked as rams horn. They
never can be used again ill they have
been through a rolling mill 2
''Fhe President, however, was very
decided about the matter. and insisted
that Johnston should be induced immedi-
ately to surrender by granting him most
liberal terms. Grant, too, was anxious
that Johnston should not tIy TO get into
Rich mond, where he might give us a
great deal of trouble ; and Sherman was
compelled 10 yield, though he did it very
unwillingly. The terms of capitulation
which afterward made such disturbance
tcere IN titct substantially arranged by Ar.
Lincoln himself, and if he had lived. he
never would have allowed Sherman to
bear the responsibility of them"