GeneralGeorgeH。Thomas，whostillremainedatNashville，wasnotpleasedwiththesechanges，forthetwocorpswithGeneralSlocum，viz。，theFourteenthandTwentieth，uptothattime，hadremainedtechnicallyapartofhis\"ArmyoftheCumberland;\"buthewassofaraway，thatIhadtoacttothebestadvantagewiththetroopsandgeneralofficersactuallypresent。IhadspeciallyaskedforGeneralMowertocommandtheTwentiethCorps，becauseIregardedhimasoneoftheboldestandbestfightinggeneralsinthewholearmy。Hispredecessor，GeneralA。S。Williams，theseniordivisioncommanderpresent，hadcommandedthecorpswellfromAtlantatoGoldsboro’，anditmayhaveseemedunjusttoreplacehimatthatprecisemoment;butIwasresolvedtobepreparedforamostdesperateand，asthenexpected，afinalbattle，shoulditfallonme。
IreturnedtoGoldsboro’fromNewbernbyrailtheeveningofMarch30th，andatonceaddressedmyselftothetaskofreorganizationandreplenishmentofstores，soastobereadytomarchbyApril10th，thedayagreedonwithGeneralGrant。
Thearmywasdividedintotheusualthreeparts，rightandleftwings，andcentre。Thetabularstatementsherewithwillgivetheexactcompositionoftheseseparatearmies，whichbythe10thofAprilgavethefollowingeffectivestrength:
Infantry……80，968
Artillery……2，448
Cavalry……5，587
Aggregate……88，948
Totalnumberofguns，91
Therailroadstoourrearhadalsobeenrepaired，sothatstoreswerearrivingveryfast，bothfromMoreheadCityandWilmington。
Thecountrywassolevelthatasinglelocomotivecouldhaultwenty—fiveandthirtycarstoatrain，insteadofonlyten，aswasthecaseinTennesseeandUpperGeorgia。
Bythe5thofAprilsuchprogresshadbeenmade，thatIissuedthefollowingSpecialFieldOrders，No。48，prescribingthetimeandmannerofthenextmarch[SpecialFieldOrders，No。48。1
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPI
INTHEFIELD，GOLDSBORO’，NORTHCAROLINA，April5，1865。
ConfidentialtoArmyCommanders，CorpsCommanders，andChiefsofStaffDepartments:
Thenextgrandobjectiveistoplacethisarmy（withitsfullequipment）northofRoanokeRiver，facingwest，withabaseforsuppliesatNorfolk，andatWintonorMurfreesboro’ontheChowan，andinfullcommunicationwiththeArmyofthePotomac，aboutPetersburg;andalsotodotheenemyasmuchharmaspossibleenroute:
1。Toaccomplishthisresultthefollowinggeneralplanwillbefollowed，ormodifiedonlybywrittenordersfromtheseheadquarters，shouldeventsrequireachange:
（1。）OnMonday，the10thofApril，allpreparationsarepresumedtobecomplete，andtheoutlyingdetachmentswillbecalledin，orgivendirectionstomeetonthenextmarch。Allpreparationswillalsobecompletetoplacetherailroad—stockbackofKinstonontheoneroad，andbelowtheNortheastBranchontheother。
（2。）OnTuesday，the11th，thecolumnswilldrawoutontheirlinesofmarch，say，aboutsevenmiles，andcloseup。
（3。）OnWednesdaythemarchwillbegininearnest，andwillbekeptupattherate，say，ofabouttwelvemilesaday，oraccordingtotheamountofresistance。Allthecolumnswilldresstotheleft（whichistheexposedflank），andcommanderswillstudyalwaystofindroadsbywhichtheycan，ifnecessary，performageneralleftwheel，thewagonstobeescortedtosomeplaceofsecurityonthedirectrouteofmarch。Foragingandotherdetailsmaycontinueasheretofore，onlymorecautionandprudenceshouldbeobserved;andforagersshouldnotgoinadvanceoftheadvance—guard，butlookmoretoourrightrearforcorn，bacon，andmeal。
2。Theleftwing（Major—GeneralSlocumcommanding）willaimstraightfortherailroad—bridgenearSmithfield;thencealonguptheNeuseRivertotherailroad—bridgeoverNeuseRiver，northeastofRaleigh（Powell’s）;thencetoWarrenton，thegeneralpointofconcentration。
Thecentre（Major—GeneralSchofieldcommanding）willmovetoWhitley’sMill，readytosupporttheleftuntilitispastSmithfield，whenitwillfollowup（substantially）LittleRivertoaboutRolesville，readyatalltimestomovetothesupportoftheleft;afterpassingTarRiver，tomovetoWarrenton。
Therightwing（Major—GeneralHowardcommanding），precededbythecavalry，willmoverapidlyonPikevilleandNahunta，thenswingacrosstoBulahtoFolk’sBridge，readytomakejunctionwiththeotherarmiesincasetheenemyoffersbattlethissideofNeuseRiver，aboutSmithfield;thence，incaseofnoseriousoppositionontheleft，willworkuptowardEarpsboro’，Andrews，B————，andWarrenton。
Thecavalry（GeneralKilpatrickcommanding），leavingitsencumbranceswiththerightwing，willpushasthoughstraightforWeldon，untiltheenemyisacrossTarRiver，andthatbridgeburned;thenitwilldeflecttowardNashvilleandWarrenton，keepingupcommunicationwithgeneralheadquarters。
3。Assoonasthearmystarts，thechief—quartermasterandcommissarywillpreparearesupplyofstoresatsomepointonPamlicoorAlbemarleSounds，readytobeconveyedtoKinstonorWintonandMurfreesboro’，accordingtodevelopments。AssoonastheyhavesatisfactoryinformationthatthearmyisnorthoftheRoanoke，theywillforthwithestablishadepotatWinton，withasub—depotatMurfreesboro’。Major—GeneralSchofieldwillhold，asheretofore，Wilmington（withthebridgeacrossNorthernBranchasanoutpost），Newborn（andKinstonasitsoutpost），andwillbepreparedtoholdWintonandMurfreesboro’assoonasthetimearrivesforthatmove。ThenavyhasinstructionsfromAdmiralPortertocooperate，andanycommandingofficerisauthorizedtocallonthenavyforassistanceandcooperation，alwaysinwriting，settingforththereasons，ofwhichnecessarillythenavalcommandermustbethejudge。
4。Thegeneral—in—chiefwillbewiththecentrehabitually，butmayinpersonshifttoeitherflankwherehispresencemaybeneeded，leavingastaff—officertoreceivereports。Herequires，absolutely，areportofeacharmyorgranddetachmenteachnight，whetheranythingmaterialhasoccurredornot，foroftentheabsenceofanenemyisaveryimportantfactinmilitaryprognostication。
ByorderofMajor—GeneralW。T。Sherman，L。M。DAYTON，AssistantAdjutant—General。
ButthewholeproblembecamesuddenlychangedbythenewsofthefallofRichmondandPetersburg，whichreachedasatGoldsboro’，onthe6thofApril。TheConfederateGovernment，withLee’sarmy，hadhastilyabandonedRichmond，fledingreatdisordertowardDanville，andGeneralGrant’swholearmywasinclosepursuit。Ofcourse，I
inferredthatGeneralLeewouldsucceedinmakingjunctionwithGeneralJohnston，withatleastafractionofhisarmy，somewheretomyfront。Iatoncealteredtheforegoingorders，andpreparedonthedayappointed，viz。，April10th，tomovestraightonRaleigh，againstthearmyofGeneralJohnston，knowntobeatSmithfield，andsupposedtohaveaboutthirty—fivethousandmen。
WadeHampton’scavalrywasonhisleftfrontandWheeler’sonhisrightfront，simplywatchingusandawaitingourinitiative。
MeantimethedetailsofthegreatvictoriesinVirginiacamethickandfast，andonthe8thIreceivedfromGeneralGrantthiscommunication，intheformofacipher—dispatch:
HEADQUARTERSARMIESOFTHEUNITEDSTATES
WILSON’SSTATION，April5，1865
Major—GeneralSHERMAN，Goldsboro’，NorthCarolina:
AllindicationsnowarethatLeewillattempttoreachDanvillewiththeremnantofhisforce。Sheridan，whowasupwithhimlastnight，reportsallthatisleftwithhim——horse，foot，anddragoons——attwentythousand，muchdemoralized。Wehopetoreducethisnumberone—half。IwillpushontoBurkesville，and，ifastandismadeatDanville，will，inaveryfewdays，gothere。Ifyoucanpossiblydoso，pushonfromwhereyouare，andletusseeifwecannotfinishthejobwithLee’sandJohnston’sarmies。
WhetheritwillbebetterforyoutostrikeforGreensboro’ornearertoDanville，youwillbebetterabletojudgewhenyoureceivethis。Rebelarmiesnowaretheonlystrategicpointstostrikeat。
U。S。GRANT，Lieutenant—General。
Iansweredimmediatelythatwewouldmoveonthe10th，preparedtofollowJohnstonwhereverhemightgo。PromptlyonMondaymorning，April10th，thearmymovedstraightonSmithfield;therightwingmakingacircuitbytheright，andtheleftwing，supportedbythecentre，movingonthetwodirectroadstowardRaleigh，distantfiftymiles。GeneralTerry’sandGeneralKilpatrick’stroopsmovedfromtheirpositionsonthesouthorwestbankoftheNeuseRiverinthesamegeneraldirection，byCox’sBridge。Onthe11thwereachedSmithfield，andfounditabandonedbyJohnston’sarmy，whichhadretreatedhastilyonRaleigh，burningthebridges。Torestoretheseconsumedtheremainderoftheday，andduringthatnightIreceivedamessagefromGeneralGrant，atAppomattox，thatGeneralLeehadsurrenderedtohimhiswholearmy，whichIatonceannouncedtothetroopsinorders:
[SpecialFieldOrders，No。54]
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPI
INTHEFIELD，SMITHFIELD，NORTHCAROLINA，April12，1865。
ThegeneralcommandingannouncestothearmythathehasofficialnoticefromGeneralGrantthatGeneralLeesurrenderedtohimhisentirearmy，onthe9thinst。，atAppomattoxCourt—House，Virginia。
GlorytoGodandourcountry，andallhonortoourcomradesinarms，towardwhomwearemarching！
Alittlemorelabor，alittlemoretoilonourpart，thegreatraceiswon，andourGovernmentstandsregenerated，afterfourlongyearsofwar。
W。T。SHERMAN，Major—Generalcommanding。
Ofcourse，thiscreatedaperfectfurore，ofrejoicing，andweallregardedthewarasover，forIknewwellthatGeneralJohnstonhadnoarmywithwhichtoopposemine。Sothattheonlyquestionsthatremainedwere，wouldhesurrenderatRaleigh？orwouldheallowhisarmytodisperseintoguerrilla，bands，to\"dieinthelastditch，\"andentailonhiscountryanindefiniteandprolongedmilitaryoccupation，andofconsequentdesolation？IknewwellthatJohnston’sarmycouldnotbecaught;thecountrywastooopen;
and，withoutwagons，themencouldescapeus，disperse，andassembleagainatsomeplaceagreedon，andthusthewarmightbeprolongedindefinitely。
IthenrememberedMr。Lincoln’srepeatedexpressionthathewantedtherebelsoldiersnotonlydefeated，but\"backattheirhomes，engagedintheircivilpursuits。\"Ontheeveningofthe12thIwaswiththeheadofSlocum’scolumn，atGulley’s，andGeneralKilpatrick’scavalrywasstillahead，fightingWadeHampton’srear—guard，withorderstopushitthroughRaleigh，whileIwouldgiveamoresoutherlycoursetotheinfantrycolumns，soas，ifpossible，topreventaretreatsouthward。Onthe13th，early，I
enteredRaleigh，andorderedtheseveralheadsofcolumntowardAshvilleinthedirectionofSalisburyorCharlotte。BeforereachingRaleigh，alocomotivecamedowntheroadtomeetme，passingthroughbothWadeHampton’sandKilpatrick’scavalry，bringingfourgentlemen，withaletterfromGovernorVancetome，askingprotectionforthecitizensofRaleigh。Thesegentlemenwere，ofcourse，dreadfullyexcitedatthedangersthroughwhichtheyhadpassed。Amongthemwereex—SenatorGraham，Mr。Swain，presidentofChapelHillUniversity，andaSurgeonWarren，oftheConfederatearmy。Theyhadcomewithaflagoftruce，towhichtheywerenotentitled;still，intheinterestofpeace，I
respectedit，andpermittedthemtoreturntoRaleighwiththeirlocomotive，toassuretheGovernorandthepeoplethatthewarwassubstantiallyover，andthatIwantedthecivilauthoritiestoremainintheexecutionoftheirofficetillthepleasureofthePresidentcouldbeascertained。OnreachingRaleighIfoundthesesamegentlemen，withMessrs。Badger，Bragg，Holden，andothers，butGovernorVancehadfled，andcouldnotbeprevailedontoreturn，becausehefearedanarrestandimprisonment。FromtheRaleighnewspapersofthe10thIlearnedthatGeneralStoneman，withhisdivisionofcavalry，hadcomeacrossthemountainsfromEastTennessee，haddestroyedtherailroadatSalisbury，andwasthensupposedtobeapproachingGreensboro’。IalsolearnedthatGeneralWilson’scavalrycorpswas\"smashingthings\"downaboutSelmaandMontgomery，Alabama，andwaspushingforColumbusandMacon，Georgia;andIalsohadreasontoexpectthatGeneralSheridanwouldcomedownfromAppomattoxtojoinusatRaleighwithhissuperbcavalrycorps。IneededmorecavalrytocheckJohnston’sretreat，sothatIcouldcomeuptohimwithmyinfantry，andthereforehadgoodreasontodelay。IorderedtherailroadtobefinisheduptoRaleigh，sothatIcouldoperatefromitasabase，andthenmade:
[specialFieldOrders，No。55]
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPIINTHEFIELD，RALEIGH，NORTHCAROLINA，April14，1865。
ThenextmovementwillbeonAshboro’，toternthepositionoftheenemyatthe\"Company’sShops\"inrearofHawRiverBridge，andatGreensboro’，andtocutoffhisonlyavailablelineofretreatbySalisburyandCharlotte:
1。GeneralKilpatrickwillkeepupashowofpursuitinthedirectionofHillsboro’andGraham，butbereadytocrossHawRiveronGeneralHoward’sbridge，nearPittsboro’，andthencewilloperatetowardGreensboro’，ontherightfrontoftherightwing。
2。Therightwing，Major—GeneralHowardcommanding，willmoveoutontheChapelHillroad，andsendalightdivisionupinthedirectionofChapelHillUniversitytoactinconnectionwiththecavalry;butthemaincolumnsandtrainswillmoveviaHackney’sCross—Roads，andTrader’sHill，Pittsboro’，St。Lawrence，etc。，tobefollowedbythecavalryandlightdivision，assoonasthebridgeislaidoverHawRiver。
8。Thecentre，Major—GeneralSchofieldcommanding，willmoveviaHollySprings，NewHill，Haywood，andMoffitt’sMills。
4。Theleftwing，Major—GeneralSlocumcommanding，willmoverapidlybytheAven’sFerryroad，Carthage，Caledonia，andCox’sMills。
5。Allthetroopswilldrawwelloutontheroadsdesignatedduringtodayandto—morrow，andonthefollowingdaywillmovewithallpossiblerapidityforAshboro’。Nofurtherdestructionofrailroads，mills，cotton，andproduce，willbemadewithoutthespecificordersofanarmycommander，andtheinhabitantswillbedealtwithkindly，lookingtoanearlyreconciliation。Thetroopswillbepermitted，however，togatherforageandprovisionsasheretofore;onlymorecareshouldbetakennottostripthepoorerclassestooclosely。
ByorderofGeneralW。T。Sherman，L。M。DAYTON，AssistantAdjutant—General。
Thusmattersstood，whenonthemorningofthe14thGeneralKilpatrickreportedfromDurham’sStation，twenty—sixmilesuptherailroadtowardHillsboro’，thataflagoftrucehadcomeinfromtheenemywithapackagefromGeneralJohnstonaddressedtome。
Takingitforgrantedthatthiswaspreliminarytoasurrender，I
orderedthemessagetobesentmeatRaleigh，andonthe14threceivedfromGeneralJohnstonaletterdatedApril13，1865，inthesewords:
TheresultsoftherecentcampaigninVirginiahavechangedtherelativemilitaryconditionofthebelligerents。Iam，therefore，inducedtoaddressyouinthisformtheinquirywhether，tostopthefarthereffusionofbloodanddevastationofproperty，youarewillingtomakeatemporarysuspensionofactiveoperations，andtocommnnicatetoLieutenant—GeneralGrant，commandingthearmiesoftheUnitedStates，therequestthathewilltakelikeactioninregardtootherarmies，theobjectbeingtopermitthecivilauthoritiestoenterintotheneedfularrangementstoterminatetheexistingwar。
TowhichIrepliedasfollows:
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPI
INTHEFIELD，RALEIGH，NORTHCAROLINA，April14，1865。
GeneralJ。E。JOHNSTON，commandingConfederateArmy。
GENERAL:Ihavethismomentreceivedyourcommunicationofthisdate。Iamfullyempoweredtoarrangewithyouanytermsforthesuspensionoffartherhostilitiesbetweenthearmiescommandedbyyouandthosecommandedbymyself，andwillbewillingtoconferwithyoutothatend。Iwilllimittheadvanceofmymaincolumn，to—morrow，toMorrisville，andthecavalrytotheuniversity，andexpectthatyouwillalsomaintainthepresentpositionofyourforcesuntileachhasnoticeofafailuretoagree。
Thatabasisofactionmaybehad，IundertaketoabidebythesametermsandconditionsasweremadebyGeneralsGrantandLeeatAppomattoxCourt—House，onthe9thinstant，relativetoourtwoarmies;and，furthermore，toobtainfromGeneralGrantanordertosuspendthemovementsofanytroopsfromthedirectionofVirginia。
GeneralStonemanisundermycommand，andmyorderwillsuspendanydevastationordestructioncontemplatedbyhim。IwilladdthatI
reallydesiretosavethepeopleofNorthCarolinathedamagetheywouldsustainbythemarchofthisarmythroughthecentralorwesternpartsoftheState。
Iam，withrespect，yourobedientservant，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—General。
Isentmyaide—de—camp，ColonelMcCoy，uptoDurham’sStationwiththisletter，withinstructionstoreceivetheanswer，totelegraphitscontentsbacktomeatRaleigh，andtoarrangeforaninterview。Onthe16thIreceivedareplyfromGeneralJohnston，agreeingtomeetmethenextdayatapointmidwaybetweenouradvanceatDurhamandhisrearatHillsboro’。IorderedacarandlocomotivetobepreparedtoconveymeuptoDurham’sateighto’clockofthemorningofApril17th。Justaswewereenteringthecar，thetelegraph—operator，whoseofficewasup—stairsinthedepot—building，randowntomeandsaidthathewasatthatinstantoftimereceivingamostimportantdispatchincipherfromMoreheadCity，whichIoughttosee。Iheldthetrainfornearlyhalfanhour，whenhereturnedwiththemessagetranslatedandwrittenout。
ItwasfromMr。Stanton，announcingtheassassinationofMr。
Lincoln，theattemptonthelifeofMr。Sewardandson，andasuspicionthatalikefatewasdesignedforGeneralGrantandalltheprincipalofficersoftheGovernment。Dreadingtheeffectofsuchamessageatthatcriticalinstantoftime，Iaskedtheoperatorifanyonebesideshimselfhadseenit;heansweredNo！
IthenbadehimnottorevealthecontentsbywordorlooktillI
cameback，whichIproposedtodothesameafternoon。Thetrainthenstarted，and，aswepassedMorris’sStation，GeneralLogan，commandingtheFifteenthCorps，cameintomycar，andItoldhimI
wantedtoseehimonmyreturn，asIhadsomethingveryimportanttocommunicate。HeknewIwasgoingtomeetGeneralJohnston，andvolunteeredtosaythathehopedIwouldsucceedinobtaininghissurrender，asthewholearmydreadedthelongmarchtoCharlotte（onehundredandseventy—fivemiles），alreadybegun，butwhichhadbeeninterruptedbythereceiptofGeneralJohnston’sletterofthe13th。WereachedDurham’s，twenty—sixmiles，about10a。m。，whereGeneralKilpatrickhadasquadronofcavalrydrawnuptoreceiveme。Wepassedintothehouseinwhichhehadhisheadquarters，andsoonaftermountedsomeledhorses，whichhehadpreparedformyselfandstaff。GeneralKilpatricksentamanaheadwithawhiteflag，followedbyasmallplatoon，behindwhichwerode，andwerefollowedbytherestoftheescort。WerodeuptheHillsboro’roadforaboutfivemiles，whenourflagbearerdiscoveredanothercomingtomeethim:Theymet，andwordwaspassedbacktousthatGeneralJohnstonwasnearathand，whenwerodeforwardandmetGeneralJohnstononhorseback，ridingsidebysidewithGeneralWadeHampton。Weshookhands，andintroducedourrespectiveattendants。Iaskediftherewasaplaceconvenientwherewecouldbeprivate，andGeneralJohnstonsaidhehadpassedasmallfarmhouseashortdistanceback，whenwerodebacktoittogethersidebyside，ourstaff—officersandescortsfollowing。Wehadnevermetbefore，thoughwehadbeenintheregulararmytogetherforthirteenyears;butitsohappenedthatwehadneverbeforecometogether。Hewassometwelveormoreyearsmysenior;butweknewenoughofeachothertobewellacquaintedatonce。WesoonreachedthehouseofaMr。Bennett，dismounted，andleftourhorseswithorderliesintheroad。Ourofficers，onfoot，passedintotheyard，andGeneralJohnstonandIenteredthesmallframe—house。Weaskedthefarmerifwecouldhavetheuseofhishouseforafewminutes，andheandhiswifewithdrewintoasmallerlog—house，whichstoodcloseby。
AssoonaswewerealonetogetherIshowedhimthedispatchannouncingMr。Lincoln’sassassination，andwatchedhimclosely。
Theperspirationcameoutinlargedropsonhisforehead，andhedidnotattempttoconcealhisdistress。Hedenouncedtheactasadisgracetotheage，andhopedIdidnotchargeittotheConfederateGovernment。ItoldhimIcouldnotbelievethatheorGeneralLee，ortheofficersoftheConfederatearmy，couldpossiblybeprivytoactsofassassination;butIwouldnotsayasmuchforJeff。Davis，GeorgeSanders，andmenofthatstripe。Wetalkedabouttheeffectofthisactonthecountryatlargeandonthearmies，andherealizedthatitmademysituationextremelydelicate。IexplainedtohimthatIhadnotyetrevealedthenewstomyownpersonalstaffortothearmy，andthatIdreadedtheeffectwhenmadeknowninRaleigh。Mr。Lincolnwaspeculiarlyendearedtothesoldiers，andIfearedthatsomefoolishwomanormaninRaleighmightsaysomethingordosomethingthatwouldmaddenourmen，andthatafateworsethanthatofColumbiawouldbefalltheplace。
IthentoldJohnstonthathemustbeconvincedthathecouldnotopposemyarmy，andthat，sinceLeehadsurrendered，hecoulddothesamewithhonorandpropriety。Heplainlyandrepeatedlyadmittedthis，andaddedthatanyfurtherfightingwouldbe\"murder;\"buthethoughtthat，insteadofsurrenderingpiecemeal，wemightarrangetermsthatwouldembracealltheConfederatearmies。Iaskedhimifhecouldcontrolotherarmiesthanhisown;
hesaid，notthen，butintimatedthathecouldprocureauthorityfromMr。Davis。IthentoldhimthatIhadrecentlyhadaninterviewwithGeneralGrantandPresidentLincoln，andthatIwaspossessedoftheirviews;thatwiththemandthepeopleNorththereseemedtobenovindictivefeelingagainsttheConfederatearmies，buttherewasagainstDavisandhispoliticaladherents;andthatthetermsthatGeneralGranthadgiventoGeneralLee’sarmywerecertainlymostgenerousandliberal。Allthisheadmitted，butalwaysrecurredtotheideaofauniversalsurrender，embracinghisownarmy，thatofDickTaylorinLouisianaandTexas，andofMaury，Forrest，andothers，inAlabamaandGeorgia。GeneralJohnston’saccountofourinterviewinhis\"Narrative\"（page402，etseq。）isquiteaccurateandcorrect，onlyIdonotrecallhisnamingthecapitulationofLoeben，towhichherefers。Ourconversationwasverygeneralandextremelycordial，satisfyingmethatitcouldhavebutoneresult，andthatwhichwealldesired，viz。，toendthewarasquicklyaspossible;and，beinganxioustoreturntoRaleighbeforethenewsofMr。Lincoln’sassassinationcouldbedivulged，onGeneralJohnston’ssayingthathethoughtthat，duringthenight，hecouldprocureauthoritytoactinthenameofalltheConfederatearmiesinexistenceweagreedtomeetagainthenextdayatnoonatthesameplace，andparted，heforHillsboro’andI
forRaleigh。
WerodebacktoDurham’sStationintheorderwehadcome，andthenIshowedthedispatchannouncingMr。Lincoln’sdeath。Icautionedtheofficerstowatchthesoldiersclosely，topreventanyviolentretaliationbythem，leavingthattotheGovernmentatWashington;
andonourwaybacktoRaleighinthecarsIshowedthesamedispatchtoGeneralLoganandtoseveraloftheofficersoftheFifteenthCorpsthatwerepostedatMorrisvilleandJones’sStation，allofwhomweredeeplyimpressedbyit;butallgavetheiropinionthatthissadnewsshouldnotchangeourgeneralcourseofaction。
AssoonasIreachedRaleighIpublishedthefollowingorderstothearmy，announcingtheassassinationofthePresident，andI
doubtif，inthewholeland，thereweremoresinceremournersoverhissadfatethanweretheninandaboutRaleigh。Iwatchedtheeffectclosely，andwasgratifiedthattherewasnosingleactofretaliation;thoughIsawandfeltthatonesinglewordbymewouldhavelaidthecityinashes，andturneditswholepopulationhouselessuponthecountry，ifnotworse:
[SpecialFieldOrders，No。56。]
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPI
INTHEFIELD，RALEIGH，NORTHCAROLINA，April17，1865。
Thegeneralcommandingannounces，withpainandsorrow，thatontheeveningofthe14thinstant，atthetheatreinWashingtoncity，hisExcellencythePresidentoftheUnitedStates，Mr。Lincoln，wasassassinatedbyonewhoutteredtheStatemottoofVirginia。Atthesametime，theSecretaryofState，Mr。Seward，whilesufferingfromabrokenarm，wasalsostabbedbyanothermurdererinhisownhouse，butstillsurvives，andhissonwaswounded，supposedfatally。Itisbelieved，bypersonscapableofjudging，thatotherhighofficersweredesignedtosharethesamefate。Thusitseemsthatourenemy，despairingofmeetingusinopen，manlywarfare，beginstoresorttotheassassin’stools。
Yourgeneraldoesnotwishyoutoinferthatthisisuniversal，forheknowsthatthegreatmassoftheConfederatearmyworldscorntosanctioneachacts，buthebelievesitthelegitimateconsequenceofrebellionagainstrightfulauthority。
Wehavemeteveryphasewhichthiswarhasassumed，andmustnowbepreparedforitinitslastandworstshape，thatofassassinsandguerrillas;butwoeontothepeoplewhoseektoexpendtheirwildpassionsinsuchamanner，forthereisbutonedreadresult！
ByorderofMajor—GeneralW。T。Sherman，L。M。DAYTON，AssistantAdjutant—General。
Duringtheeveningofthe17thandmorningofthe18thIsawnearlyallthegeneralofficersofthearmy（Schofield，Slocum，Howard，Logan，Blair），andwetalkedoverthematteroftheconferenceatBennett’shouseofthedaybefore，and，withoutexception，alladvisedmetoagreetosometerms，fortheyalldreadedthelongandharassingmarchinpursuitofadissolvingandfleeingarmy—amarchthatmightcarryusbackagainoverthethousandmilesthatwehadjustaccomplished。WeallknewthatifwecouldbringJohnston’sarmytobay，wecoulddestroyitinanhour，butthatwassimplyimpossibleinthecountryinwhichwefoundourselves。
Wediscussedalltheprobabilities，amongwhichwas，whether，ifJohnstonmadeapointofit，IshouldassenttotheescapefromthecountryofJeff。Davisandhisfugitivecabinet;andsomeoneofmygeneralofficers，eitherLoganorBlair，insistedthat，ifaskedfor，weshouldevenprovideavesseltocarrythemtoNassaufromCharleston。
ThenextmorningIagainstartedinthecarstoDurham’sStation，accompaniedbymostofmypersonalstaff，andbyGeneralsBlair，Barry，Howard，etc。，and，reachingGeneralKilpatrick’sheadquartersatDurham’s，weagainmounted，androde，withthesameescortoftheday，before，toBennett’shouse，reachingtherepunctuallyatnoon。GeneralJohnstonhadnotyetarrived，butacouriershortlycame，andreportedhimasontheway。Itmusthavebeennearly2p。m。whenhearrived，asbefore，withGeneralWadeHampton。Hehadhaltedhisescortoutofsight，andweagainenteredBennett’shouse，andIclosedthedoor。GeneralJohnstonthenassuredmethathehadauthorityoveralltheConfederatearmies，sothattheywouldobeyhisorderstosurrenderonthesametermswithhisown，buthearguedthat，toobtainsocheaplythisdesirableresult，Ioughttogivehismenandofficerssomeassuranceoftheirpoliticalrightsaftertheirsurrender。I
explainedtohimthatMr。Lincoln’sproclamationofamnesty，ofDecember8，1863，stillinforce;enabledeveryConfederatesoldierandofficer，belowtherankofcolonel，toobtainanabsolutepardon，bysimplylayingdownhisarms，andtakingthecommonoathofallegiance，andthatGeneralGrant，inacceptingthesurrenderofGeneralLee’sarmy，hadextendedthesameprincipletoalltheofficers，GeneralLeeincluded;suchapardon，Iunderstood，wouldrestoretothemalltheirrightsofcitizenship。ButheinsistedthattheofficersandmenoftheConfederatearmywereunnecessarilyalarmedaboutthismatter，asasortofbugbear。HethensaidthatMr。Breckenridgewasnearathand，andhethoughtthatitwouldbewellforhimtobepresent。Iobjected，onthescorethathewastheninDavis’scabinet，andournegotiationsshouldbeconfinedstrictlytobelligerents。HethensaidBreckenridgewasamajor—generalintheConfederatearmy，andmightsinkhischaracterofSecretaryofWar。Iconsented，andhesentoneofhisstaff—officersback，whosoonreturnedwithBreckenridge，andheenteredtheroom。GeneralJohnstonandIthenagainwentoverthewholeground，andBreckenridgeconfirmedwhathehadsaidastotheuneasinessoftheSouthernofficersandsoldiersabouttheirpoliticalrightsincaseofsurrender。Whilewewereinconsultation，amessengercamewithaparcelofpapers，whichGeneralJohnstonsaidwerefromMr。Reagan，Postmaster—General。HeandBreckenridgelookedoverthem，and，aftersomesideconversation，hehandedoneofthepaperstome。
ItwasinReagan’shandwriting，andbeganwithalongpreambleandterms，sogeneralandverbose，thatIsaidtheywereinadmissible。
ThenrecallingtheconversationofMr。Lincoln，atCityPoint，I
satdownatthetable，andwroteofftheterms，whichIthoughtconciselyexpressedhisviewsandwishes，andexplainedthatIwaswillingtosubmitthesetermstothenewPresident，Mr。Johnson，providedthatbotharmiesshouldremaininstatuquountilthetrucethereindeclaredshouldexpire。IhadfullfaiththatGeneralJohnstonwouldreligiouslyrespectthetruce，whichhedid;
andthatIwouldbethegainer，forinthefewdaysitwouldtaketosendthepaperstoWashington，andreceiveananswer，IcouldfinishtherailroaduptoRaleigh，andbethebetterpreparedforalongchase。
NeitherMr。BreckenridgenorGeneralJohnstonwroteonewordofthatpaper。Iwroteitmyself，andannounceditasthebestI
coulddo，andtheyreadilyassented。
Whilecopiesofthispaperwerebeingmadeforsignature，theofficersofourstaffscommingledintheyardatBennett’shouse，andwereallpresentedtoGeneralsJohnstonandBreckenridge。Allwithoutexceptionwererejoicedthatthewarwasover，andthatinaveryfewdayswecouldturnourfacestowardhome。IremembertellingBreckenridgethathehadbettergetaway，asthefeelingofourpeoplewasutterlyhostiletothepoliticalelementoftheSouth，andtohimespecially，becausehewastheVice—PresidentoftheUnitedStates，whohadassuchannouncedMr。Lincoln，ofIllinois，dulyandproperlyelectedthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，andyetthathehadafterwardopenlyrebelledandtakenuparmsagainsttheGovernment。Heansweredmethathesurelywouldgiveusnomoretrouble，andintimatedthathewouldspeedilyleavethecountryforever。ImayhavealsoadvisedhimthatMr。Davistooshouldgetabroadassoonaspossible。