The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-26


patrick moved uD the west side of the
Neuse. Johnson was retreating to-
wards Greensboro, giving but little
trouble to the advancing army, now
| in full swing once more. The news
of Lees surrender reached them on
the 18th, rendering the army jubilant
as, with quickened step, they moved
upon the capital city. After marching
through Raleigh, they pitched their
tents round about the place. By the
18th, the advance guards had occupied
Durham and Chapel Hill. A line
drawn in a northerly and southerly
direction through the points named,
viii mark about the western boundary
of Sherman's army, from the 18th to
the 25th, while peace proposals were
being considered. Johnson's army was
west of such line drawn through
Hillsboro. Here they rested, unth
terms of surrender were agreed upon.
But, before reciting the incidents of
the last days, may it not be we'll to
glance at Sherman's conduct during
the campaign in the State? Here was
an army with a record in South Caro-
lima that reminds one of the Duke of
Alva in the low countries. 1t left a
land despoiled by robbery plumber,
and violence in (25) field, barn, and
household. Did this continue in North
Carolina? Yes much the same. Some
restraints, however, were placed upon
the men. (26) Inasmuch as North
Carolina was the last to Sc
cede, and still had strong
Union party, some were dis
posed to prevent Wanton destruction
of property and unkind treatment OF
the inhabitants. Accordingly, CID or.
ders were issued throwing restraints
around the foraging parties, and the
many bent on plumber. This was done
for another reason, also: the presence
of Johnson necesSitated more caution.
But, Notwithstanding these orders, the
army continued its march much as
heretofore.
(2S) Sherman gave specific orders
at Fayetteville to destroy all property,
private and public, that would be of
use to the enemy" save one water
mill to grind corn for the people of
the town. The country around Fay
etteville and BentonYille was swept
bare 1t was after the BentonViIle
fight that he ordered Fitzpatrick to
gather all the food and forage posi-
BILE without regard for the inhabitants.
(29) On leaving GOldsborO the same
orders held as to fOraging, destruction
Of factories, mills, etc; save only, more
caution should be exercised owing to
JohnSon'S presence. The fate of Raj
eigh was to be determined by the re-
ception accorded him. Good evidence
of the fidelity shown in observing the
orders appears in Schoheld's COM
plant, while on the march between
Goldsboro and Raleigh: 900 $50
GUMS bummers have been all over the
country, and my men have not been
able to get a pound of anything" Cox
says: (31) "Snce we left Goldsboro
there has been a constant succession
of house-burning in the rear of his
Il i
Of the burning of the pretentiOus At
kinson home. (32) He deprecates
the fact that the stragglers were worse
than in the Atlanta campaign. While
around Raleigh Field Order No. 55,"
issued April the 14th, added this re-
striction:
Troops will be permitted to
gather forage and provisions as here
tofore, only more care should be TAX
Ell not to strip the poorer classes too
closely $3.50 This same day seven
men of a foraging party were captured
near Raleigh. (34) Thus, the elabor-
ate system of foraging continued with
all it's attendant evils of Wanton de-
struction, cruelty ferOcity, robbery
and every other villainy practiced by
highwaymen. For this, necessity-the
necessity which Sherman said (35) de-
veloped the searching qualities of
justification after reaching Goldsboro.
For the abundant supplies of the gov
eminent were then to be had. But
it went on under official sanction up
to the day of the surrender.
The one specific order from Sher-
man that showed a positive desire to
stay the hand of destruction was his
order to Fitzpatrick: $3.50 eff you
reach the University do not disturb
its library, buildings, or specific prop
erty." (37) Through the friendly So
licitation of President David L. Swain,
this favor was shown.
SO far as the official records reveal,
General Sherman's conduct through
out the campaign, he was acting upon
the principle expressed to Schofield
Time to build up after the war" He
turned his engines of destruction loose,
and saw enough. A few days after
the surrender he writes: ANY one
who is not satisfied with war should
go and see Charleston, and he viii
pray louder and deeper than ever that
the country in the future may be
spared any more war"
In brief this much can be said in
favor of Sherman's record in North
Carolina: He made a show of restraint
and was not quite SO careless with
fire, as when in South Carolina.
Inc events IOlIOWIHg the I0In Oh
April will be told in a few words: The
armies remained practically in the
position held on the 18th.
In reply to a letter from Johnson
regarding terms of peace, (38) Sher-
man agreed to meet Johnson in per-
son on the 18th, midway between
their lines. At noon they met in a
frank, soldier-like way, Johnson ad-
hitting the folly of prosecuting furth-
er the war; but, asking some general
concessions. They separated to meet
the next day, when the celebrated
Memorandum" was signed by both.
The terms were practically these:
Johnson's army was to separate. the
troops going to their several States
At the State capitals they were to
surrender their arms and all public
property Part of the arms were to
be left to the State governments and
the rest turned over to the United
States. The officers and soldiers were
not to be punished by the United
States, but all were left liable to pri-
Yate prosecution in the courts. This
was forwarded to Washington for the
approval of the President. 1t was re-