The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1885-03-04
Senator vance's Lecture.

senator H. II \ ANTI. fiOAIAf NfNAtAA
delivered an address before the Conled-
crate Maryland Line Association on The
last DAYS Of the War 10 North caro-
ana. The ball was crowded 4 large Dor
uon Of the audience being aides.
Gen Bradley T. johnson, Presldent .
The MARYLAND Line Association. called
the meeting 10 order, and
Gov. Vance, who was enthusiastically re-
ceIved.
Mr. Vance said for the want Of opppr-
tuntty of research in the midst OF his
congressional duties he had chosen TO
speak about the closing scenes OF the
var. the ,rand elimination u which hap
pened IN North Carolina, Tor the reason
that most Of them came within his p0T
,onal knowledge. There Is one feature
ot these times most worthy OF note,
From April TO DC obe., loo5, the peepe
OF North Carolina were absolutely with
out law. civil or military. here was not
a Judge on the bench, not a magistrate
| or sheriff, constable, or any kind ot evil
servant or couservator OF the peace III the
| state invested with legal authority. 4
complete social chaos resigned. ct the
instincts of order were sublImely present,
and never did any portion OF the great
race to which we belong give stranger
proof Of its capacity for self government
and its innate desire for civilization.
On the lst day Of February, 1865, with
irresistible force, Sherman's column be
gan its march through the Southern re
| gions of South Carolina, and into Nlr-
GINA, along the track Of Sherman's great
| predecessor. CORVALLIS, IN Isl, but he
left the CORVALLIS track near Nlnnsboro,
South Carolina, and turning to the night,
made for Fayetteville. His army marched
in two great divisions, near a days march
apart, thus covering and devastating a
| wide expanse of country When a gen
eral organizes a corps OF thieves and
plundererS as a part Of hIs invading army,
and license beforehand their outrages, he
and all who countenance, aid or abet, ln-
vite the execration of mankind. This
peculiar arm Of the military service, the
drummer Corps" it IS charged and be
lieved was Instituted by Gen. Sherman
in his invasion of the Southern States.
The speaker drew a parallel between
the wasting and destruction which char
acterized Sherman march and the scrup-
| ulous regard for the private rights OF
property and the persons of ~non-combat-
| ants, which be said, was rigidly enforced
by Lord CORVALLIS in the march of his
army. General Sherman was fighting, as
he said, for the sole purpose OF restoring
the Union and for making the people OF
the rebellious States look to the Union
alone for protection; does any act or order
of his anywhere indicate a similar desire
of protecting the people from suffering a,
the hands of those whose duty it was t.
protect them?
Senator Vance described the burning
Of Fayetteville on January 10, 1868,
when were destroyed the arsenal and the
old bank Of North Carolina. He also con-
trasted Gen. Sherman with Gen. Lee,
This greatest foe; likewise the greatest
certainly the most humane general o.
modern times
He ~recounted the history of the CLOSING
battles until Sherman effected a junction
with Schofield at Goldsboro on the 23d o
March, their force exceeding Ito, O0C
men.
April 10th Gen. Sherman pu his
troops in motion towards Raleigh, anC
Gen. Johnston troops began to fall back
slowly. The speaker was then Governor
of North Carolina Painful rumors o.
the surrender Of Gen. Lee had been cir
culated, and Gov. Vance consulted Gen.
Johnston as to what it was best for hin
to do. AS a result of this, commissioner
were appointed to treat with Gen. Sher.
man for the protection of the State CAPT.
tol. This protection was promised in let
tiers directed to Gov. Vance, and Gen.
Sherman issued orders to his command.
He sent the Governor an Invitation to re
turn to Raleigh, which he declined to &C
cept, but set out on horseback to ioin
President Davis.
Senator ance described his interview
with Mr.. Davis at Charlotte, In the pres
ence of Mr.. Reagan, Gen. Breckenridge,
and one or more members of his cabinet
besides, as follows
Il told him | had come to him to al
wise with him what to DO, and to learn
his further intentions. The conversation
was long and solemn. Mr.. Davis APP
peared still full of hope, and discussed
the situation extensively. He told me
OF the possibility. as he thought, of re-
treating beyond the Mississippi with large
sections of the soldiers still faithful to
the Confederate cause, and resumlng OPP.
e~rations with Gen. Kirby Smiths forces
as a nucleus, In those distant regions,
and intimated rather than expressed a
desire that | should accompany him, with
such of the North Carolina troops as
might be able to influence to that cad.
He was very earnest, and displayed a re.
markab.e knowledge of the opinions and
resources Of the people of the Confeder-
acy, as well as a most dauntless spirit.
Alter he had ceased there was a sad 81
lence around his council board. Perhap.
one or more opinions were expressed IL
support of MIR. Davis views, and theI
Gen. Breckenridge spoke. | shall never
forget either the language or the manner
of that splendid Kentuckian. With the
utmost ~frankness and with the courage
Of sincerity, be said he did not think
they were dealing candid lywith Governor
Vance that their hopes OF accomplishing
the results set forth by Mr.. DAVIS were
50 remote and uncertain that be, for hi,
part, could not advise me to forsake the
great duties which devolved upon me II
order TO follow the further fortunes of The
retreating Contederacy; that his advice
would be that | should return to my po
sltlOn and Its responsibilities, do the bes'
could for my people, and share theiI
tate, whatever it might be. With a deer
sigh MIR Davis replied to Gen BrecSen-
ridge: IVY ell, perhaps, General, you arr
right. | remarked that Gen. Brecken,
ridges views conceded with my owr
sense OF duty, and after a very little NOR,
conversation | arose and offered my hanC
to President Davis to bId HIM goad bye
lie shook II long and warmly, saying
God bic yoI, ,ir, and the noble oIc
State Of North Carolina With ceiling,
which | am not able to describe | thu
babe farewell to the Southern Confeder
acy, and returned to Greensboro, will
the inteUtion of going to Raleigh and re
Stunning my duties as Governor, ii per
mitted.'
The speaker said the first conventiol
proposed by Gen. sherman al that time
had 1t been ratified at Washington, woulC
have completed the dominion Of tn,
Union at once. His language in this con
-