The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-09-30
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF !
THE MISSISSIPPI, " THE FIELD, RA-
rEIGu \ @ AnriI o. 1SkS

THE MISSISSIPPI, y THE FIELD, RA-
LEIGH, y. c., April %, 1865.
Lieut.. Gen. L. s. GRANT, present.
GENERAL: had the honor TO receive your
letter of april DIST, with Enclosures, yester-
day, and was well pleased that you came
along, as you must have observed that held
the military control SO as to adapt it to any
phase the ease might assume.
1t is but Just ! sh0u record the fact that
] made my terms with Gen. Johnston under
the influence Of the liberal terms you ex-
tended TO the army Of Gen. Lee at Apo
nlattox Court-Iiouse on the 9th, and the
seeming policy Il our Government. as evinced
by the call Of the Virginia Legislature and
Governor back 10 Richmond, under yours and
President Lincoln very eyes.
II now appears this last act was done with
out any consultation with you or any knowl-
edge of bIr. Lincoln, but rather in opposition
20 previous policy well considered.
] have not tie least desire to interfere in
the civil policy Of our Government. but
would shun it IS something not to my liking;
but occasions do arise when a prompt seizure
Of results is forced on military commanders
not in immediate communication with the
proper authority. It is probable that the
terms signed by Gen. Johnston and mvself
were not clear enough on the point. well
understood between US that our negotiations
did not apply 10 any parties outside the
officers and men Of lie Confederate armies,
which could easily have been remedied.
No surrender Of any army not actually at
the mercy OF an antagonist was ever made
without terms" (" and these always define
the military status Of the surrendered. Thus
you stipulated that the officers and men OF
Lees army should moi be molested at their
homes so long as they 0beyed the laws al the
place Of their residence
/ do not wish TO discuss these points in
volved in our recognition Of the State Goyern-
ments in actual existence, but will merely
state my conclusions. 10 await the solution of
the future. Such action OF our part in no
manner recognizes for moment the so-called
Confederate Government or makes us liable
for lis debts o. acts.
The laws and acts done by the several
Statcs during tie period OF rebellion are void.
because done without the oath prescribed by
our Constitution of the United States. which
ls condition precedent"
We have a right 20 use any sort Of ma
chlneIy 70 produce military results; and it is
the conmonest thing for military commanders
10 use the civil governments in acfugl erist-
j
could and can use the present State Govern
mcnts lawfully constitutionallv. and as The
very best possible means to produce the object
desired, viz, entire and complete submission
60 TIC lawful authority Of the United States.
As 70 punishment Tor past crimes. that is
toI the Judiciary, and can in no manner Of
way be disturbed by our acts; and, so far as
can, ] VIII use my influence that rebels
shall suffer all the personal punishment pre-
scnbed by law, as also the civil liabilities
arising from their past acts
What we now want Is the new form Of law
by which common men may regain the posi-
tlons OF Industry, 80 long disturbed by The
war
low apprehend that the rebel armies will
dispense; and, instead Of dealing with six OF
seven States, we will have TO deal with mum
beriess bands Of desperldoes headed by such
men as Mosby, Forrest. Red Jackson. and
Others, who know not and care not for danger
and its onsequences.
/ am, 18th great respect, your obeCi i.
servant,
w. T. SHERMAN, kaior-General com.
manding
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DTvTsIcY OF I
TIE MISSISSIPPI. !, THE FIELD. RA-
LEIGH, n. c., April p, 1865.
Ho r. Nj. STANTON, Secretary Of War.
Washington
DEAR SIR: j have been furnished a COPY
Of your letter of April list TO Gen Grant.
signifying your disapproval Of the terms on
which Gen. Johnston proposed TO disarnl and
disperSe the insurgents, on condition oi
amnesty, etc. / adnn my folly in embrac-
u. IN 4 military convention any civil matters;
put, un1o:~ una;ely. such is the nature OF our
situation that :hey seem inextricably united.
aud 1 understood f;om you at savannah that
tho financial state OF the country demanded
military success, csd wouIG warrant a little
bending TO policy.
When / had my conference with Ger.
Je.4nston L hac ihe ?ubnc examples bcfors