St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-04-11
lis Statements Regarding
the Johnston Surrender
Far From the Truth.
Refuted by Gorham's Extracts
From Secretary Stanton's
Papers.
The True Reasons for the Re-
lection Of the Sherman
Johnston Agreement.
Senator Sherman Himself
Said in 1865 1t Could Not
Possibly Be Approved.

WAsnINGToH, April 10 - Hon.
George g. GOrhmm,, as custodian OF the
private papers Of Secretary Stanton.
and now engaged upon his biography,
has written the following open letter to
Senator Sherman. 1t deals with a
striking portion Of the senator's recent
address, and embodles sundry impOr-
tant historical documents not hereto
fore published.
Hon. John Sherman, United
States Senate-Dear Sir: In your re-
cent address In New York on tho
character and public services Of your
illustrious brother Gen. w. +. Sher-
man. Won made the following reference
10 the terms proposed by him for sur
render of the forces OF Gen. Joseph
Johnston and other commanders at The
close Of the civil war.
Gen. sherman believed in and sought to
carry out the policy OF Mr.. Lincoln. 1he
terms Of surrender were tentative ana the
conditions were entirely subject 10 the super
vision Of The executive authorizes; but IN,
stead Of being submitted 10 the generous ana
fOrgiv,ug patriot who had fallen they we're
passed upon in the shadow OF great crime
by stern aud relentless enemies, VINO had not
consented 10 tye conditions imposed ny Gen.
Grant upon Gen Lee. GId who Would nave
disregnrdcd them had not Gen. Grant threat
ened 10 resign upon lhelr refusal 10 carry out
his terms. When the arrangement with cen
Johnston was submitted 10 President JOhH-
son and Mr. Stanton II was rejected with the
insulting intmalion that II proceeded from
either cowardice or treachery- Inc oid cry
against Gen. sherman WAS ngaln starred. IL
Was cren imputed that he would attempt to
play the part of n Cromwell or Il military
usurper The generous kindness OF Grant
came to his relief New terms were agreed
upon ana The war closed.
In JOhuson's Defense.
You would have 1t understood by this
that while Gen. Sherman was engaged
In prasewOrthy and purely military
act, which President Lincoln would
have desired him 10 perform II he had
lived, hc was set upon and lnsulted. aud
his arrangements set aside by President
johnson and EdwaTi Stanton. then sec.
rotary of war, III mean and narrow
spirit Of revenge because OF the assas-
sinatiOn of Mr. Lincoln. and that at this
iuncture the generous kindness OF Gen.
Grant interposed between him and
these alleged enemies. and that the two
generals agreed on new terms and
ended the war. You state all this
as though you had approved Gen.
Sherman's course. Whatever policy MIR.
Lincoln might have recommended to
congress for the restoration OF the Con
federaie states to their relations with
the Union, none know better than you
that he would never have undertaken
to usurp the powers Of congress on the
subject, much less TO allow military
subordinate to guide him in the work by
an authorized arrangement made under
the supervision of jefferson Davis and
his cabinet. Mr.. Lincoln left no room
for doubt Oh this point, for he gave the
following direction TO Gen. Grant fort
night before the Standardization
negotiations:
LincOIn's Position.
TO Gen. Grant: The president directs me
70 say TO you that he wishes you 10 have no
conference with Cen Lee, unless 1t lie for
the CApitulatiOn OF Lees army or solely
minor or purely military matters. lie IN
structs me to say 10 YOU that you are not 10
decide discuss or confer on any political
question such questions the president holds
IN his own hands, and VIII submit them TO
no military conference or convention. Mean
tlmc you IRE TO press to The utmost your NIL
itary advantages. EDWIN NJ. STANTON,
Secretary OF War.
You will say that Gen. Sherman had
not seen this order of Mr.. LlncOln'S
when he made his arrangement with
Johnston, but it is none tho less ab5o-
lutte proof that lac (Nlr. LincOln) would
have disappToved the arrangement. The
general needed no such admOnlllon 10
teach him that the discussion OF public
policies III a military convention was an
invasion OF the civil authority and
wholly outside the powers and duties of
military commander. He frankly
admitted this, and in n letter to Secre-
tary Stanton. dated April 25, the day
after receiving the governments dis
approval Of his terms. said: Il admit
my folly in embracing in Il military COLI
Vention any civic matters" 1ou repre-
scented Gen. Grant as coming to Gen.
Shernan's relief, from which those not
acquainted with the history of the case
would suppose that he approved the
agreement When you made this state
ment you must have known that
GEN. Grant Condemned
Gen. Sherman'S act before consulting
either President Johnson or Secretary
Stanton. lie wrote TO Gen. Sherman
acknowledging receipt of the agree
ment, and said: Il read it carefully be-
fore submitting it to the president and
secretary Of war, and felt satisfied that
il could not possibly be approved" In
the same letter he states that upon his
suggestion cabinet meeting was
called, the result Of which was 1.-THE dis
approval DN lne pIeSlueuJ vi the DdSlS
laid down and tile disapproval of the
negotiations altogether, except for the
surrender Of the army commanded by
Gen. Johnston and an order for the
termination of the armistice and the re-
sumption Of hostlitieS," l have before
me while | write the original of the fol
lowing note from Gen. Grant TO Secre-
tary Stanton:
Headquarters Armies of the United States,
April ~ lSG5.-Hon. +. NJ. Stanton, Secretary
Of War-Sir: have received and just com
pleted leading the dispatches brought y
special messenger from Zen. Sherman
They are of such inheritance that think im
mediate action should lie taken on them, ano
il should be done by the president in council
with his whole cabinet / would respect
fully suggest that the president shoulC
be notified and all his cabinet, and meet
ng take place tonight. Very respectfully
u y. GRANT. Lieut.. General.
Gen Grant started Immediately attel
adjournment of the cabinet meeting To-
Raleigh, n c., and arrived at Sher
mans headquarters on the 24th to exc
cute the presidents orders. Under tut
order Sherman gave notice that hostlll