The Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman, Complete

s our army t

ere the pine

said, "Boys,

fair Savann

the song of o

d over riv

in our banner

camped down

d of the steps and invited us into a parlor which was perfectly neat and well furnished. After inquiring about her father, mother, sisters, and especially her brother James, my special friend, I could not help saying that I was pleased to notice that our men had not handled her house and premises as roughly as was their wont. "I owe it to you, general," she answered. "Not at all. I did not know you were here till a few minutes ago." She reiterated that she was indebted to me for the perfect safety of her house and property, and added, "You remember, when you were at our house on Cooper River in 1845, you gave me a book;" and she handed me the book in question, on the fly leaf of which was written: "To Miss Poyas, with the compliments of W. T. Sherman, First-lieutenant Third Artillery." She then explained that, as our army approached Columbia, there was a doubt in her mind whether the terrible Sherman who was devastating the land were W. T. Sherman or T. W. Sherman, both known to be generals in the Northern army; but, on the supposition that he was her old acquaintance, when Wade Hampton's cavalry drew out of the city, calling out that the Yankees were coming, she armed herself with this book, and awaited the crisis. Soon the shouts about the markethouse announced that the Yankees had come; very soon men were seen run

night, and her house in danger, I had her family and effects carried to my own headquarters, gave them my own room and bed, and, on leaving Columbia the next day, supplied her with a half-barrel o

assurances that all was being done that could be done, but that the high wind was spreading the flames beyond all control. These general officers were on the ground all night, and Hazen's division had been brought into the city to assist Woods's division, already there. About eleven o'clock at night I went down-town myself, Colonel Dayton with me; we walked to Mr. Simons's house, from which I could see the flames rising high in the air, and could hear the roaring of the fire. I advised the ladies to move to my headquarters, had our own headquarter-wagons hitched up, and their effects carried there, as a place of greater safety. The whole air was full of sparks and of flying masses of cotton, shingles, etc., some of which were carried four or five blocks, and started new fires. The men seemed generally under good control, and certainly labored hard to girdle the fire, to prevent its spreading; but, so long as the high wind prevailed, it was simply beyond human p

e English claimants, and thereby settled the fact that the destruction of property in Columbia, during that night, did not result from the acts of the General Government of the United States--that is to say, from my army. In my official repo

which to arm a guard to maintain order after we should leave the neighborhood. During the 18th and 19th we remained in Columbia, General Howard's troops engaged in tearing up and destroying the railroad, back toward the Wateree, while a strong detail, under the immediate supervision of Colonel O. M. Poe, United States Engineers, destroyed the State Arsenal, which was found to be well supplied with shot, shell, and ammunition. These were hauled in wagons to the Saluda River, under the supervision of Colonel Baylor, chief of ordnance, and emptied into deep water, causing a very serious ac

person I reached Rocky Mount on the 22d, with the Twentieth Corps, which laid its pontoon-bridge and crossed over during the 23d. Kilpatrick arrived the next day, in the midst of heavy rain, and was instructed to cross the Catawba at once, by night, and to move up to Lancaster, to make believe we were bound for Charlotte, to which point I heard that Beauregard had directed all his detachments, including a corps of Hood's old army, which had been marching parallel with us, but had failed to make junction with, the f

se he was, they said, evacuating Charleston. Rumors to the same effect had reached me through the negroes, and it was, moreover, reported that Wilmington, North Carolina, was in possession of the Yankee troops; so that I had every reason to be satisfied that our march was fully reaping all the fruits we could possibly ask for. Charleston was, in fact, evacuated by General Hardee on the 18th of February, and was taken possession of by a brigade of General Fosters tro

gress of the Fourteenth Corps, and to act in concert with it, on its left rear. On the 1st of March I was at Finlay's Bridge across Lynch's Creek, the roads so bad that we had to corduroy nearly every foot of the way; but I was in communication with all parts of the army, which had met no serious oppos

eraw. Early in the morning of the 3d of March I rode out of Chesterfield along with the Twentieth Corps, which filled the road, forded Thompson's Creek, and, at the top of the hill beyond, found a road branching off to the right, which corresponded with the one,

rse down the road, and the rest of the staff followed. General Barry took up the questions about the road, and asked the same negro what he was doing there. He answered, "Dey say Massa Sherman will be along soon!" "Why," said General Barry, "that was General Sherman you

he Charleston garrison, that the enemy had not divined our movements, and that consequently they were still scattered from Charlotte around to Florence, then behind us. Having thus secured the passage of the Pedee, I felt no uneasiness about the future, because there remained no further great impediment between us and Cape Fear River, which I felt assured was by that time in possession of our friends. The day was so wet that we all kept in-doors; and about noon General Blair invited us to take lunch with him. We passed down into the basement dining-room, where the regular family table was spread with an excellent meal; and during its progress I was asked to take

ter our headquarter-wagons got up, and our bivouac was established in a field near by, I sent my orderly (Walter) over to General Blair, and he came back staggering under a load of carpets, out of which the officers and escort made excellent tent-rugs, saddle-cloths, and blankets. There was an immense

vous. I think it was an editorial, to the effect that at last the editor had the satisfaction to inform his readers that General Sherman would next be heard from about Goldsboro', because his supply-vessels from Savannah were known to be rendezvousing at Morehead City:--Now, I knew that General Hardee had read that same paper, and that he would be perfectly able to draw his own inferences. Up to,

lle. Kilpatrick held his cavalry still farther to the left rear on the roads from Lancaster, by way of Wadesboro' and New Gilead, so as to cover our trains from Hampton's and Wheeler's cavalry, who had first retreated toward the north. I traveled with the Fifteenth Corps, and on the 8th of March reached Laurel Hill, North Carolina. Satisfied that our troops must be at Wilmington, I determined to send a message there; I called for my man, Corporal Pike, whom I had rescued as before described, at Columbia,

ITARY DIVISION O

REL HILL, Wednesd

cer, Wilmington

l be there Saturday, Sunday, and Mond

'. We are all well and have done finely. The rains make our roads difficult, and may delay us about Fayetteville, in which case I

RMAN, Maj

ry, had barely escaped across Cape Fear River, burning the bridge which I had hoped to save. On reaching Fayetteville I found General Slocum already in possession with the Fourteenth Corps, and all the rest of the army was near at hand. A day or two before, General Kilpatrick, to our left rear, had divided his force into two parts, occupying roads behind the Twentieth Corps, interposing between our infantry columns and Wade Hampton's cavalry. The latter, doubtless to make junction with General Hardee, in Fayetteville, broke across th

r forces made their appearance. He was getting breakfast at the hotel when the alarm was given, when he and his escort took saddle, but soon realized that the alarm came from a set of our foragers, who, as usual,

dreamed that an invading army would reach it from the west; and I also found in Fayetteville the widow and daughter of my first captain (General Child

d immediate preparations were made to lay two pontoon bridges, on

whistle of a steamboat, which came nearer and nearer, and soon a shout, long and continuous, was raised down by the river, which spread farther and farther, and we all felt that it meant a messenger from home. The effect was electric, and no one can realize the feeling unless, like us, he has been for months cut off from all communication with friends, and compelled to listen to the croaki

th about the capacity of his boat, and the state of facts along the river, I instructed him to be ready to start back at 6 p.m., and ordered Captain Byers to get ready to carry dispatches to Washington. I

s Schofield, Foster, Easton, and Beckwith, all of which have been published, but I include he

ISSISSIPPI, IN THE FIELD, FAYETTVILLE,

TANTON, Secr

eached this point, and has opened communication with Wilmington

nd Wilmington, are incidents, while the utter demolition of the railroad system of South Carolina, and the utter destruction of the enemy's arsenals of Columbia, Cheraw, and Fayetteville, are the principals of the movement. These points were regarded as inaccessible to us, and now no plac

I inclose a slip just handed me, which is but partial. At Columbia and Cheraw we destroyed nearly all the gunpowder and cartridges which the Confederacy had in this part of the country. This arsenal is in fine order, and has been much enlarged. I can

may still attend my arm

RMAN, Maj

DIVISION OF THE MISS

H CAROLINA, Sunda

NT, commanding United States

ing across the Cape Fear, burning his bridges; but our pontoons will be up to-da

to get from Wilmington some shoes and stockings, sugar, coffee, and flour. We a

ugh we have had foul weather, and roads that would have sto

ia down to Kingsville on the Wateree, and up toward Charlotte as far as the Chester line; thence we turned east on Cheraw and Fayetteville. At Colombia we destroyed immense arsenals and railroad establishments, among which wore forty-thre

ble arsenal, so the enemy shall not have its use; and the United States should

es and negroes that encumber us. Some I will send down the river in boats, and the res

to destroy the valuable depots by the way, but for its incidents in the necessary fall of Charleston, Georgetown, and Wilmin

I think he will not try that, but concentrate his scattered armies at Raleigh, and I

rd Greensboro' or Charlotte from Knoxville; eve

he enemy, and it will not do for me to go there, on account of t

nction with General S

s tr

RMAN, Maj

DIVISION OF THE MISS

H CAROLINA, Sunda

ding United States Forces,

day, which arrived here without trouble. The scout who brought me your cipher-message starte

eneral Slocum will try to secure two others known to be above, and we will load them with refug

would have caught Hardee at Cheraw or here; but at Columbia, Cheraw, and here, we have captured immense stores, and destroyed machinery, gu

nstead of feeding Lee's army, w

at Goldsboro'. We cannot prevent his concentrating at Raleigh, but he shall have no rest. I want General Schofield to go on with his railroad from Newbern as far as he can, and you should do the same from Wilmington. If we can get the roads to and sec

ouths; as many to go down Cape Fear as possible, and the rest t

has marked your course, and shall be most

RMAN, Maj

hofield, so as to be ready for the next and last stage of the war. I then knew that my special antagonist, General Jos. E. Johnston, was back, with part of his old army; that he would not be misled by feints and false reports, and would somehow compel me to exercise more caution than I had hitherto done. I then over-estimated his force at thirty-seven thousand infantry, supposed to be made up of S. D. Lee's corps, four thousand; Cheatham's, five thousand; Hoke's, eight thousand; Hardee's, ten thousand; and other detachments, ten thousand; with Hampton's, Wheeler's, and Butler

followed by a couple of gunboats, under command of Captain Young, United States Navy, who reached Fayetteville after I had left, and undertook to patrol the river as long as the stage of water would permit; and General Dodge also promised to use the cap

e left; the cavalry, acting in close concert with the left flank. With almost a certainty of being attacked on this flank, I had instructed General Slocum to send his corps-trains under strong escort by an interior road, holdi

m Columbia, South Carolina, under an escort of two hundred men, commanded by Major John A. Winson (One Hundred and Six

e (sent back from the skirmish-line by General Kilpatrick), who proved to be Colonel Albert Rhett, former commander of Fort Sumter. He was a tall, slender, and handsome young man, dressed in the most approved rebel uniform, with high jackboots beautifully stitched, and was dreadfully mortified to find himself a prisoner in our hands. General Frank Blair happened to be with me at the moment, and we were much amused at Rhett's outspoken disgust at having been captured without a fight. He said he was a brigade commander, and that his brigade that day was Hardee's rear-guard; that his command was composed mostly of the recent garrisons of the batteries of Cha

ke supper with us, and our conversation was full and quite interesting. In due time, however, Rhett was passed over by

of Ward's. Kilpatrick was on his right front. Coming up, I advised that a brigade should make a wide circuit by the left, and, if possible, catch this line in flank. The movement was completely successful, the f

ons necessary were performed by our surgeons, and then these wounded men were left in care of an officer and four men of the rebel prisoners, with a scanty supply of food, which was the best we could do for them. In person I visited this house while the surgeons were at work, with arms and legs lying around loose, in the yard and on the porch; and in a room on a bed lay a pale, handsome young fellow, whose left arm had just been cut off near the shoulder. Some one

s men had made him "get out of his coat, hat, and shoes," which they appropriated to themselves. He said Wade Hampton had seen them do it, and he had appealed to him personally for protection, as an officer, but Hampton answered him with a curse. I sent Duncan to General Kilpatrick, and heard afterward that Kilpatrick had applied to General Slocum for his prisoner, Colonel Rhett, whom he made march on fo

known to be approaching Goldsboro'. I overtook General Howard at Falling-Creek Church, and found his column well drawn out, by reason of the bad roads. I had heard some cannonading over about Slocum's head of column, and supposed it to indicate about the same measure of opposition by Hardee's troops and Hampton's cavalry before experienced; but during the day a messenger

e division (Hazen's), still well to the rear, was turned at once toward Bentonsville; Hazen's division was ordered to Slocum's flank, and orders were also

orps, General C. R. Woods's division leading, closed down on Bentonsville, near which it was brought

ese deployments occupied all day, during which two divisions of the Seventeenth Corps also got up. At that time General Johnston's army occupied the form of a

field, at Kinston, and General Terry, at Faison's Depot, approaching Goldsboro', both expecting to reach it by March 21st. During the 20th we simply held our ground and started our trains back to Kinston for provisions, which would be needed in the event of being forced to fight a general battle at Bentonsville. The next day (21st) it began to rain again, and we

hich was utterly unknown. The next day he was gone, and had retreated on Smithfield; and, the roads all being clear, our army moved to Goldsboro'. The heaviest fighting at Bentonsville was on the first day, viz., the 19th, when Johnston's army struck the head of Slocum's columns, knocking back Carlin's division; but, as soon as General Slocum had brought up the rest of the Fourteenth Corps into line, and afterward the

hundred and eighty-nine men wounded, and seventy missing. General Howard reported that he had

herefore, at Bent

ntonsville, omitting Wheeler's and Butler's cavalry, only amounted to fourteen tho

vision, I doubt if the fighting was as desperate as described by him, p. 385, et seq. I was close up with the Fifteenth Corps, on the 20th and 21st, considered the fighting as mere skirmishing, and know that my orders were to avoid a general battle, till we could be sure of Goldsboro', and of opening up a new base of supply. With the knowledge now possessed of his small force, of course I committed an error in not overwhelming Johnston's army on the 21st of March, 1865. But I was content then to let him go, and on the 22d of March rode to Cog's Bridge, where I met General Terry, with his two divisions of the Tenth Corps; and the next day we rode

passage most difficult, if not impossible. The country generally was in a state of nature, with innumerable swamps, with simply mud roads, nearly every mile of which had to be corduroyed. In our route we had captured Columbia, Cheraw, and Fayetteville, important cities and depots of supplies, had compelled the evacuation of Charleston City and Harbor, had utterly broken up all the railroads of Sout

eneral Johnston, and thus united meet me alone; and now that we had effected a junction with Generals Terry and Schofield, I had no fear even of that event. On reaching Goldsboro, I learned from General Schofield all the details of his operations about Wilmington and Newbern; also of the fight of the

for the events of the war then in progress, with two

THE ARMIES OF

VIRGINIA, Fe

AN, commanding Military D

ion, south from the Petersburg front. These troops marched down the Weldon road, and, as they apparently went without baggage, it is doubtful whether they have not returned. I was absent from here when they left. Just return

outh side of the river, and secure the Wilmington & Charlotte Railroad, and with his pontoon train cross over to the island south of the city, if he can. With the aid of the gunboats, there is no doubt but this move will drive the ene

e ordered stock to run them. We have abundance of it idle from the non-use of the Virginia roads. I have taken every precaution to have supplies ready f

ngton to see Mr. Lincoln, informally, on the subject of peace. The peace feeling within the rebel lines is gaining g

r advancement than I, and if you should be placed in my position, and I put subordinate, it would not change our personal relations in the le

s tr

T, Lieuten

THE ARMIES OF

IRGINIA, Janu

THOMAS, commanding A

dicated. General Slocum is advised before this of the changes made, and that for the winter you will be on the defensive. I think, however, an expedition from East Tennessee, under General Stoneman might penetrate South Carolina, well down toward Columbia, destroying the r

rom information obtained while executing the first part of his instructions. Sherman's movements will

of the Ohio, without taking any now under General Wilson. It would require, though, the reorganization of th

n East Tennessee, a small division of infantry, to enable General Gillem to hol

to General Stoneman, so that he can begin his preparations without loss of

rly against any thing like equal forces, or where a great object is to be gained, it should go as light as

his expedition, and keep me advised of its prog

T, Lieuten

THE ARMIES OF

IRGINIA, Janu

SCHOFIELD, command

s within communicating distance of you. This obviates the necessity of my publishing the order which I informed you would meet you at Fortress Monroe. If the order referred to should not be published from the Adjutant-General's office, you will read these instructions as your authori

e line or lines of railway connecting that place with the sea-coast, as near to it as you can, building the road behind you. The enterprise under you has two objects: the first is, to give General Sherman material aid, if needed, in his march north; the second, to open a base of supplies for him on the line of his march. As soon, therefore, as you can de

on the subject of securing supplies for his army. You can learn what steps he has taken, and b

at City Point. Communicate with me by every opportunity, and, should you deem it necessary at an

instructions are exclusive of th

out waiting for instructions. You will report, however, what you propose doing. The details for carrying out these instructions are necessarily left to you. I would urge, however, if I did not know that you

ington: A large force of railroad-men has already been sent to Beaufort, and other mechani

ully, your ob

T, Lieuten

THE ARMIES OF

VIRGINIA, Ma

AN, commanding military D

ness for your safety, but I have felt great anxiety to know just how you were progressing. I knew

hat prize to us. But Terry and Schofield have since retrieved his blunders, and I do not know but the first failure

arted, or had not at last advices. I ordered him to send Stoneman from East Tennessee into Northwest South Carolina, to be there about the time you would reach Columbia. He would either have drawn off the enemy's cavalry from you, or would have succeeded in destroying railroads, supplies, and other material, which you could not reach. At that time the Richmond papers were full of the accounts of your movements, and gave daily accounts of movements in West North Carolina. I supposed all the time it was Stoneman. You may judge my surprise when I afterward learned that Stoneman was still in Louisville, Kentucky, and that the troops in North Carolina were Kirk's forces! In order that Stoneman might get off without

h of last month the Richmond papers have been prohibited from publishing accounts of army movements. We are left to our own resources, th

. I have a force sufficient to leave enough to hold our lines (all that is necessary of them), and move out with plenty to whip his whole army. But the roads are entirely impassable. Until they improve, I shall content myself

t as much force as he had when he attacked Hood. I have stopped all w

to the Virginia line, if he can. He has accumulated a large amount of supplies in Knoxville, and has been ordered not to destroy any of the railroad west of the Virginia Hue. I told him to get ready for a campaign toward Lynchbu

ing the enemy can do. Lee may evacuate Richmond, but he cannot get there with force enough to touch you. His army is now demoralized a

eenforcements are necessary, I will send them. My notion is, that you should get Raleigh as soo

can be made useless to the enemy, without

e forces from Wilmington and Newborn, I rema

T, Lieuten

DIVISION OF THE MISS

E RIVER, NORTH CARO

GRANT, Commander-in-Chi

centrate a respectable army to oppose the last stage of this march. Accordingly, General Slocum was ordered to send his main supply-train, under escort of two divisions, straight for Bentonsville, while he, with his other four divisions, disencumbered of all unnecessary wagons, should march toward Raleigh, by way of threat, as far as Av

the advanced line, held by a South Carolina brigade, commanded by a Colonel Butler. Its Commander, Colonel Rhett, of Fort Sumter notoriety, with one of his staff, had the night before been captured, by Kilpatrick's scouts, from his very skirmish-line. The next morning Hardee was found gone, and was pursued through and beyond A

re was infantry in his front. He deployed a couple of brigades, which, on advancing, sustained a partial repulse, but soon rallied, when he formed a line of the two leading divisions (Morgan's and Carlin's) of Jeff. C. Davis's corps. The enemy attacke

night brought Blair's corps over, and on the 20th marched rapidly on Johnston's flank and rear. We struck him about noon, forced him to assume the defensive, and to fortify. Yesterday we pushed him hard, and came very near crushing him, the right division of the Seventeenth Corps (Mower's) having broken in to within a hundred yards of where Johnston himself was, at the bridge across Mill Creek. Last night he retreated, leaving us in possession of the field, dead, and wounded. We have over two thousand prisoners from this affair and the on

k, and will forthwith march the army to Goldsboro

wborn; General Terry got Cox's Bridge, with pontoons laid, and a brigade acr

making the necessary orders, I have ridden down to this place (Cox's

d General Schofield about Kinston, partly to protect the road, but more to collect such food

oing. I shall proceed at once to organize three armies of twenty-five thousand men each, and will

have lost no general officers nor any organization. General Slocum took three guns at Averysboro', and lo

s tr

RMAN, Maj

DIVISION OF THE MISS

SBORO', NORTH CAROL

commanding the Armies of the Uni

rch 18th and dispatch of the 17th. I wrote you fully from Cox's Bridge yesterday, and since reaching Gol

en Richmond and Lynchburg, and hope he will keep the ball moving, I know

o', between the Weldon road and Little River. General Howard to-day is marching south of the Nenae, and to-morrow

ack to Newborn and Wilmington, and to make up a movable column equal to twenty-five thousand men, with which to take the field. His army will be the centre, as on the Atlanta campaign. I do not think I want any more troops (other than

ficers, to bring up from Kinston clothing and provisions. As long as we m

ere this, and the road properly stocked. I can only hear of one locomotive (besides the four old ones) on the Newbern road, and two damaged locomotives (found by General Terry) on the Wilm

e can maintain them, will, in a short time, be in a position to march

working well, I may run up to see you for a day or t

accurate reports of our operations

, Major-Gener

DIVISION OF THE MISS

SBORO', NORTH CAROL

l U. S. GRANT, Ci

oon complete our roads. The telegraph is now done to Morehead City, and by it I learn that stores have been sent to Kinston in boats, and that our wagons are loading with rations and clothing. By using the Neuse as high up as Kinston, hauling from there twenty-six miles, and by equipping the two roads to Morehead City and Wilmington, I feel certain we can not only feed and equip the army, b

mond, or to abandon the cause. I feel certain, if he leaves Richmond, Virginia leaves the Confederacy. I will study my maps a little mo

amilies remain, but I will gradually push them all out to Raleigh or Wilmington. We will need every

RMAN, Maj

DIVISION OF THE MISS

DSBORO', NORTH CAR

Thomas, commanding Depar

jurisdiction, but I certainly cannot help you in the way of orders or men; nor do I think you need either. General Cruft has just arrived with

nd could not legally make orders of discharge, transfer, etc., which was imperatively necessary. I therefore asked that General Slocum should be assigned to command "an army in the field," called the Army of Georgia, co

rovided, divided into three parts, of two c

mond) to pass the Roanoke, and open communication with the Chowan and

ton and Beaufort. We have already brought up stores enough to fill our wagons, and only await

General Grant, but keep me advised occasionally of the general state of affairs, that I may know what is happening. I must give

RMAN, Maj

OM ADMIRAL

TLANTIC

ELPHIA, CHARLEST

ommanding Armies of the Tennes

, which has just reached me from Goldsboro'; it was very suggestive

patch from Midway, so I steamed down to Port Royal to see him. Next day was spent in vain efforts to decipher-finally it was accomplished. You thought that the state of the roads might force you to turn upon Charleston; so I went there on the 15th, but there was no sign yet of flinching. Then I went to Bull's Bay next day (16th), and found that the troops were not yet ashore, owing to the difficulties of shoal water. One of the gunboats had contrived to get up to within shelling range, and both soldiers and sailors were working hard. On the evening of the 18th I steamed down to Stono to see how matters were going there. Passing Charleston, I noticed two large fires, well inside--probably preparing to leave. On the 17th, in Stono, rumors were flying about loose of evacuation. In course of the morning, General Schimmelpfennig telegraphed me, from Morris Island, that there were symptoms of leaving; that he would a

never had any misgivings, but it was natural to desire to go into the place with a stro

d now it is yours to secure the last army which rebeldom possesses. I hear of yo

an it be that such a resort finds root in any stratum of American opinion? Evide

g life so early, even under the accepted conditions of a soldier's life, as a son of the Union, would have been grief sufficient for me to bear; but that his precious remains sh

ear general, for your success and hap

DAHL

l Order

T, ADJUTANT-G

ON, Marc

f Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, the same United States flag which floated over the battlements of that fort during the rebel assault

d guns from Fort Sumter, and by a national salute from

ry operations compelled the rebels to evacuate Charleston, or, in his absence, under the charge of Major-General Q. A. Gilm

heir commander on that station, be invited to

President of t

ANTON, Secr

l Order

DEPARTMENT

OUTH CAROLINA,

ion by the national forces, has been ordered by the President, in pursuance of which Brevet Major-General Robert Anderson, United States Army, will restore to its orig

ill commence with prayer, at thir

e on Sullivan's Island, Fort Putnam on Morris Island, and Fort Johnson on James's Island; it being eminently appropriate that the places which were so cons

Rev. Henry Ward Beecher

l close with praye

the details of the celebration, comprising all the arrangements that it may be necessary to make for the accommodation

Major-General

R, Assistant A

tch, announcing the Surrender

BALTIC, OF

1, 10.30 a.m.

eron, Secretary

ffect of heat, four barrels and three cartridges of powder only being available, and no provisions remaining but pork, I accepted terms of evacuation offered by General Beauregard, being the same offered by him on the 11th ins

Major First Artil

TER

M GOLDSBORO' TO RAL

AND MA

for all the troops and trains of wagons to reach their respective camps. In person I reached Goldsboro' on the 23d, and met General Schofield, who described fully his operations in North Carolina up to that date; and I also found Lieute

the general, and determined to go in person to City Point as soon as the repairs of the rai

F THE UNITED STATES VCITY PO

Commanding Military Div

that you occupied Goldsboro' on the 19th inst. I congratulate you and the army on what may be regarded as

m the Army of the Potomac, and will proceed directly to the Southside and Danville roads. His instructions will be to strike the Southside road as near Petersburg as he can, and destroy it so that it cannot be repaired for three or four days, and push on to the Danville road, as near to the Appomattox as he can get. Then I want him to destroy the road toward Burkesville as far as he can; then push on to the Southside road, west of Burkesville, and destroy it effectually. From that point I shall probably leave it to his discretion either to return

n detached from Lee's army. Much machinery has been removed, and material has been sent to Lync

from returned prisoners, and such conscripts as can be picked up, his numbe

the same day, from East Tennessee, toward Lynchburg. Thomas is moving the Fourth Corps to

to send to Wilmington all surplus forces. Thomas was also directed to forward to Newbern all troops belonging to t

and cars for you. General McCallum, he informs me, is attending

want more troops,

ully, your ob

T, Lieuten

group of huts on the bank of James River, overlooking the harbor, which was full of vessels of all classes, both war and merchant, with wharves and warehouses on an extensive scale. The general received me most heartily, and we talked over matters very fully. After I had been with him an hour or so, he remarked that the President, Mr. Lincoln, was then on board the steamer River Queen, lying at the wharf, and he proposed that we should call and see him. We walked down to the wharf, went on board, and found Mr. Lincoln alone, in the after-cabin. He remembered me perfectly, and at once engaged in a most interesting conversation. He was full of curiosity about the many incidents of our great march, which had reached him officially and through the newspapers, and seemed to enjoy very much the more ludicrous parts-about the "bummers," and their devices to collect food and forage when the outside world suppos

nquired after Mrs. Lincoln, when the President went to her stateroom, returned, and begged us to excuse her, as she was not well. We then again entered upon a general conversation, during which General Grant explained to the President that at that very instant of time General Sheridan was crossing James River from the north, by a pontoon-bridge below City Point; that he had a large, well-appointed force of cavalry, with which he proposed to strike the Southside and Danville Railroads, by which alone General Lee, in Richmond,

days, he would have his army so disposed that if the enemy should abandon Richmond, and attempt to make junction with General Jos. Johnston in North Carolina, he (General Grant) would be on his heels. Mr. Lincoln more than once expressed uneasiness that I was not with my army at Goldsboro', when I again assured him that General Schofield was fully competent to command in my absence; that I was going to start back that very day, and that Admiral Porter had kindly provided for me the steamer Bat, which he said was much swifter than my own vessel, the Russia. During this interview I inquired of the President if he was all r

nade, which was accepted. In preparing the lemonade, the friend pointed to the brandy-bottle, and said the lemonade would be more palatable if he were to pour in a little brandy;

wo distinct interviews; the first was late in the afternoon of March 27th, and the other about noon of the 28th, both in the after-cabin of the steamer River Queen; on both occasions Mr. Lincoln was full and frank in his conversation, assuring me that in his mind he was all ready for the civil reorganization of affairs at the South as soon as the war was over; and he distinctly authorized me to assure G

he language of his second inaugural address, he seemed to have "charity for all, malice toward none," and, above all, an absolute faith in the courage, manliness, and integrity of the armies in the field. When at rest or listening, his legs and arms seemed to hang almost lifeless, and his face was care-worn and haggard; but, the moment he began to talk, his face lightened up, his tall form, as it we

COUNT OF THE INTERV

I accompanied him and General Grant on board the President's flagship, the Queen, wh

easant mood, and delighted to meet Gen

nce the beginning of the war, and did not remember when he had seen him befor

remembering people, having that kingly quality in an eminent degree. Indeed, such wa

herman's campaign through the South, with every

a striking manner the ideas he wanted to convey. For example, he would often express his wishes by telling an apt s

and, as it was a remarkable one, I jotted down what I remembered of the conversation, as

(Stanton's ill conduct toward Sherman) which tended to cast odium o

have been known, Sherman would not, and could not, have been censored. Mr. Lincoln, had he lived,

al views toward the rebels. He felt confident that we would be successful,

ebels laid down their arms, he did not care how it was done. I do not know how far he was influenced by General Grant, but I presume, from their long conferences, that they must have understood each other perfectly, and that the terms given to Lee after his surrender were authorized by Mr. Lincoln. I know that the latter was delighted when he h

an were both of the same opinion, and so was e

ted a good opportunity to give up gracefully? The rebels had fought "to the last ditch," and all tha

e general pronounced this to be impracticable. He remarked: "I have him where he cannot move without breaking up his army, which, once disbanded, can never again be got together; and I have destroyed the Southern railroads, so that they cannot be used again for a long time."

he sat smoking a short distance from the President, intent, no doubt,

Sherman energetically insisted that he could command his own terms, and that Johnston would have to yield to his demands; but t

e did not join in the conversation to any extent, yet he made no objecti

chmond, to reenforce the rebels there, who, from behind their

rms of capitulation between himself and Johnston were exactly in accordance with Mr. Linco

of the President in every respect. It was Mr. Lincoln's policy that was carried out, and, had he lived long enough, he would have been but too glad to have acknowledged it. Had Mr. Lincoln lived, Secret

so complete, that the pens and ink used in

knew General Sherman, and appreciated him, he was still the great soldier, patriot, and gentleman. In future times this matter will be looked at more calmly and dispassionately. The bitter animosities that have been engendered during the rebellion will have died out for want of food on w

ck to Newbern, North Caro

army fully equipped with stores and clothing; and, when he returned, he had a res

every thing behind him, and could not go to Richmond

with the terms Grant gave the rebel general; and would have given Jos. Johnston twice as much, had the latter asked for it, and could he have been cer

wounded than we had, General Sherman would have been blamed. Then why not give him the full credit of capturin

the swamps and deserts of the South, a march not excel

TER, Vice

d States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., and

North Carolina. We steamed down James River, and at Old Point Comfort took on board my brother, Senator Sherman, and Mr. Edwin Stanton, son of the Secretary of War, and proceeded at once to our destination. On our way down the river, Captain Barnes expressed himself extremely obliged to me for taking his vessel, as it had relieved him of a most painful dilemma. He explained that he had been detailed by Admiral Porter to escort the President'

Barnes on horseback, rode the lines, and returned to the reviewing stand, which meantime had been reached by Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Grant in their carriage, which had been delayed by the driver taking a wrong road. Mrs. Lincoln,

nd pilot us in. We entered safely, steamed up Pamlico Sound into Neuse River, and the next morning,--by reason of some derangement of machinery, we anchored about seven miles below Newbern, whence we went up in Captain Barnes's barge. As soon as we arrived at Newbern, I telegraphed up t

, "of the Ohio," under the command of Major-General Schofield, and his two corps were commanded by Generals J. D. Cox and A. H. Terry. These changes were necessary, because army commanders only could order courts-martial, grant discharges, and perform many other matters of discipline and admin

d to act to the best advantage with the troops and general officers actually present. I had specially asked for General Mower to command the Twentieth Corps, because I regarded him as one of the boldest and best fighting generals in the whole army. His predecessor, General A. S. Willi

once addressed myself to the task of reorganization and replenishment of stores,

re. The tabular statements herewith will give the exact composition of these se

try 8

lery

lry

gate

umber o

Morehead City and Wilmington. The country was so level that a single locomotive could haul twenty-

t I issued the following Special Field Orders, No. 4

ield Order

HE MISSISSIPPI IN THE FIELD, GOLDSB

ders, Corps Commanders, and

, with a base for supplies at Norfolk, and at Winton or Murfreesboro' on the Chowan, and in full communicati

will be followed, or modified only by written orders f

nts will be called in, or given directions to meet on the next march. All preparations will also be comple

will draw out on their lines of march

posed flank), and commanders will study always to find roads by which they can, if necessary, perform a general left wheel, the wagons to be escorted to some place of security on the direct route of march. Foraging

ge near Smithfield; thence along up the Neuse River to the railroad-bridge over Neuse Rive

until it is past Smithfield, when it will follow up (substantially) Little River to about Rolesville,

oss to Bulah to Folk's Bridge, ready to make junction with the other armies in case the enemy offers battle this side of Neuse River,

h as though straight for Weldon, until the enemy is across Tar River, and that bridge burned; then

h of the Roanoke, they will forthwith establish a depot at Winton, with a sub-depot at Murfreesboro'. Major-General Schofield will hold, as heretofore, Wilmington (with the bridge across Northern Branch as an outpost), Newborn (and Kinston as its outpost), and will be prepared to hold Winton and Murfrees

ed, leaving a staff-officer to receive reports. He requires, absolutely, a report of each army or grand detachment each night, whe

ajor-General