The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-11
George Gorham, Biographer Of the
Great War Secretary, Defends
His Memory.
Reasons Why the Terms OF John
ston's Surrender Were not
Approved.
Tho Senator Quoted as Saying Hi,nself
That What His Brother Proposed
WAS Inadmlssible.

Gorham, custodian OF the private papers OF
Secretary Stanton, and engaged on hia
biography, has written an open letter TO
Senator Sherman. dealing with the striking
portions Of the senator's recent address,
and embodying sundry important historical
documents not before published. After re-
pehting the reference Of Senator Sherman
to the terms Of surrender made BY Gen.
Sherman in accordance with LincoIu's
policy for the forces Of Gen. Joseph John
ston and othsr commanders at tho close Of
the war, Gorhhm said: lyon would have ID
understood that Gen. Sherman was set
upon and insulted. and that the arrange
ments were set aside BY President Johnaon
and Secretary Stanton in mean and mar
row sririt OF revenge and that Gen. Grant
interposed and the two generals agreed on
new terms and ended the war. Whatever
Lincoln's policy was. none knew better
than you that be never usurped the powers
OF congress or allowed . military
subordinate to guide him by an
unauthorized arrangement made under
the supervision Of Jefferson Davis and his
cabinet. A fortnight before the Sherman
Johnston negotiations, Lincoln directed
less for the arrangement OF Lse's cnpitula-
tion on purely military matters. This ID
proof that Lincoln would disapproye Sher-
mans arrangement. General sherman,
after receiving the govsrnment's disap-
proval Of his terms, said i admit nav
folly in embracing in the military convsn-
tion any civic mattsrs.' Your reference to
Grant coming to Shsrman's relief would
lead to the superstition that Grant approved
the agreement. On the contrary, hs con
demned il before 1t Was submitted to the
president or Secretary Stanton Gorham
quotes . letter from Grant to Stanton, in
which the former advises him Of the re-
ceiptsof Shsrman's dispatches and requests
q cabinet eounoil at once. as they are Of
such importance.
In = noss TO Gen. Sherman Gorham
continues. Grant advises him Of the dis
approval BY the president Of the regotia-
tions except for the surrender Of Johnston's
army, and tie erder tor the termination Of
the afmistioe and tho resumption of hostil-
ltles. Grant Joined Sherman, and Sherman
gave notice of the resumption Of .hostilities.
Johnston thersupon surrendered on the
terms accorded Lee by Grant. AZ matter
OF prudence and necessity Stanton tels-
graphod to Gen. Dix in New York to pub
lish the same, with copy of the Sherman
Johnston agreement and it's disapprovaI
by the government, to which was appeu ded !
ths reasons for the disapproval, which were
that Cen. Sherman exercised authority not |
vsstsd in him and made pract1cal ao-
The agreement undertook to re-establish
the rebel state governments, and placed the |
arms and munitions of war in the hands of |
tho rebels, which might be used to subdue
the loyal states. and the restoration Of the |
rebel authority. which would enable them
TO rs-sstablish slavery; would permit the
federal government to pay the rebel debts,
and subject loyal citizens in the rebel
states to these debts; would put in dispute
The existence of the governmental tho loyal |
states and the new state OF West Virginia;
would abolish the contiscation laws and re-
lieve the rebels from the penalties of their
orlmes; which gave terms repeatedly re-
lected by Lincoln and better 3srms than
The robels ever asked for, and formed no
basis for true and lasting peace.''
Gorham says the publication Of ths dis
had to bs made to prevent serious
md perhaps dangerous discomfort. but no
one will question the good intentions Of
Con. sherman in making the agreement.
IN conclusion Gorham quotes one more
authority supporting Stanton as against
Senator Sherman. 1t ia 4 letter written
~ John Sherman from Cleveland April 27,
1865, to Secretary Of War Stanton. saying
20 was distressed beyond measure at the
;srms granted by Gen. Sherman, and that
hey were inadmissibls. Yct he fSlt gross
INJUSTICE was done Gen. Sherman who at the
most granted the rebels tho liberal terms:
out the same could be said of Lincoln and
Grant in the Lee arrangement. Gen. Shsr-
nan had not understood the political bear
ng of the agreements but looked upon the
,ontest from simple military view. Shsr-
nan assertsd his Willingness, being 80
;roubled abont the matter, to 20 to Wash
ngton or anywhere else where he could
'ender the least service. In closing hs said:
j do not wish Gan. Sherman uniustly
laalt with, and know you will not permit
t; especially do not want him driven into
jhe fellowship of coppsrheads." In COM
nenting upon the letter Gorham saws he
,aauot find any reference to the insult, in
which, it ID now inserted, Johnson and
Stanton rejected Shermnn's terms. He
lonored and admired Sherman, also Stan
,on, and being his biographsr, he could not
.emain silent when one of Stanton's great
,st and wisest acts was misstated to show
hat Gen. Sherman was right whom he (Sen-
ltor ShsrmalD admitted he was wrong.
CONGRESS THIS WEEK.
The Augmentation Bills Well Under wav