The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-24

fully explained the hopelessness of thA
situation owing to recent heavy disasters
THE Confederacy,' he declared. sis in
word, unable to continue the war bv ar
mics in the field, and the struggle can no
longer be maintained in any other manner
than by a guerilla or partisan warfare.
Such warfare is not in my opinion. de-
sirable, nor does ii promise any useful re-
suits. Seeing no reasonable hone
of our ability to conquer our independ-
ence, it is my opinion that there
(Gen. Sherman's) terms should be accent
ed In brief. but concise opinion. the
same day, Attorney General George Davis
thus meets the trans Mississippi proposi-
ton for the scattered remnant of Gen
Johnston's army: IF it should retreat sue
cessfully, and offer itself as a nucleus for
reorganization it cannot be recruited. Vol
unteering is long since at an end, and con-
scription has exhausted all its force
l therefore respectfully advise
disbanding the armies of the Confed-
eracy"
These brief extracts from the opinions
rendered by the cabinet to President Davis
clearly show, as L have claimed in previ-
Gus articles, that the question of aban-
donment of the Confederacy was virtually
settled at Charlotte, N. c., the last of
April, although the final collapse and last
cabinet meeting occurred at WASHINGTON.
Ga, on May 5, 1865.
If Postmaster General Reagan and Sec
rotary of War Breckenridge saw fit to
change their views, as expressed officially
at Charlotte, and later on favored Gen
Hampton's idea, indorsed by President
Davis, to continue the struggle with the
united remnants of the Confederate
armies, I have failed to find any such
change in the official records, the first in
timation of its coming to me in the Oc-
tober Confederate Veteran.
Being absent when Gen. Johnston and
Gen. Sherman made terms of surrender
Gen. Hampton claimed to be exempt from
those terms, and having already arranged
with President Davis to escort him TO
place of safety, or prolong the war with
the Confederate forces outside of the
armies of Lee and Johnston, he appealed
to Secretary of War Breckenridge, who
gave il as his opinion that Gen. Hampton
and such officers and soldiers as he may
have had with him while absent were not
bound by the terms of surrender. Presi-
dent Davis telegraphed Gen. Hampton az
Greensborough from Charlotte, on April
70 as follows: IF you think it better,
you can, with the approval of Gen. John
ston, select now, as proposed for a later
PERIOD the small body of men and join
me at once, leaving Gen. Wheeler to sue
coed you in the command of cavalry"
1t Is quite probable that Gen. Johnston
ca not give his approval TO this arrange
ment' as Gen. Hampton did not escort
Fres dent Davis to Washington, Ca, that
honor or service being assigned. I think,
10 Gen. George B. Dibrell, of Tennessee,
and Gen. Basil w. Duke of Kentucky,
with their cavalry commands.
II Secretary Breckenridge started for the
west on the mission suggested by POST
master General Reagan, he very soon
found cause TO abandon it, and fall back
upon the final conclusion reached by Mr..
reagan, that the scheme would not work
secretary Benjamin called the brains"
OF the cabinet-seems to have taken the
broadest and clearest view of the impend-
ing collapse and to have given the best
possible advice in regard to meeting it in
manly honorable and prompt manner.
Sidney Herbert.