Feeling now that General Lee's chance of escape was utterly hopeless, I addressed him the following communication from Farmville:
"April 7, 1865."GENERAL—The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood, by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate States army known as the Army of Northern Virginia."U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General."GENERAL R. E. LEE."
"April 7, 1865.
"GENERAL—The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood, by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate States army known as the Army of Northern Virginia.
"U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General."GENERAL R. E. LEE."
Early on the morning of the 8th, before leaving, I received at Farmville the following:
"April 7, 1865."GENERAL: I have received your note of this date. Though not entertaining the opinion you express on the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your desire to avoid useless effusion of blood, and therefore, before considering your proposition, ask the terms you will offer on condition of its surrender."R. E. LEE, General."LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT."
"April 7, 1865.
"GENERAL: I have received your note of this date. Though not entertaining the opinion you express on the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your desire to avoid useless effusion of blood, and therefore, before considering your proposition, ask the terms you will offer on condition of its surrender.
"R. E. LEE, General."LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT."
To this I immediately replied:
"April 8, 1865."GENERAL:—Your note of last evening, in reply to mine of same date, asking the condition on which I will accept the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, is just received. In reply, I would say, that peace being my great desire, there is but one condition I would insist upon—namely, That the men and officers surrendered shall be disqualified for taking up arms again against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged. I will meet you, or will designate officers to meet any officers you may name for the same purpose, at any point agreeable to you, for the purpose of arranging definitely the terms upon which the surrender of the Army of the Northern Virginia will be received."U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General."GENERAL R. E. LEE."
"April 8, 1865.
"GENERAL:—Your note of last evening, in reply to mine of same date, asking the condition on which I will accept the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, is just received. In reply, I would say, that peace being my great desire, there is but one condition I would insist upon—namely, That the men and officers surrendered shall be disqualified for taking up arms again against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged. I will meet you, or will designate officers to meet any officers you may name for the same purpose, at any point agreeable to you, for the purpose of arranging definitely the terms upon which the surrender of the Army of the Northern Virginia will be received.
"U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General."GENERAL R. E. LEE."
Early on the morning of the 8th the pursuit was resumed. General Meade followed north of the Appomattox, and General Sheridan, with all the cavalry, pushed straight ahead for Appomattox Station, followed by General Ord's command and the 5th corps. During the day General Meade's advance had considerable fighting with the enemy's rear-guard, but was unable to bring on a general engagement. Late in the evening General Sheridan struck the railroad at Appomattox Station, drove the enemy from there, and captured twenty-five pieces of artillery, a hospital train, and four trains of cars loaded with supplies for Lee's army. During this day I accompanied General Meade's column, and about midnight received the following communication from General Lee:
April 8, 1865."GENERAL:—I received, at a late hour, your note of to-day. In mine of yesterday I did not intend to propose the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, but to ask the terms of your proposition. To be frank, I do not think the emergency has arisen to call for the surrender of this army; but as the restoration of peace should be the sole object of all, I desired to know whether your proposals would lead to that end. I cannot, therefore, meet you with a view to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia; but as far as your proposal may affect the Confederate States forces under my command, and tend to the restoration of peace, I should be pleased to meet you at ten A.M. to-morrow on the old stage-road to Richmond, between the picket-lines of the two armies."R. E. LEE, General."LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT."
April 8, 1865.
"GENERAL:—I received, at a late hour, your note of to-day. In mine of yesterday I did not intend to propose the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, but to ask the terms of your proposition. To be frank, I do not think the emergency has arisen to call for the surrender of this army; but as the restoration of peace should be the sole object of all, I desired to know whether your proposals would lead to that end. I cannot, therefore, meet you with a view to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia; but as far as your proposal may affect the Confederate States forces under my command, and tend to the restoration of peace, I should be pleased to meet you at ten A.M. to-morrow on the old stage-road to Richmond, between the picket-lines of the two armies.
"R. E. LEE, General."LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT."
Early on the morning of the 9th I returned him an answer as follows, and immediately started to join the column south of the Appomattox:
"April 9, 1865."GENERAL:—Your note of yesterday is received. I have no authority to treat on the subject of peace; the meeting proposed for ten A.M. to-day could lead to no good. I will state, however, general, that I am equally anxious for peace with yourself, and the whole North entertains the same feeling. The terms upon which peace can be had are well understood. By the South laying down their arms they will hasten that most desirable event, save thousands of human lives, and hundreds of millions of property not yet destroyed. Seriously hoping that all our difficulties may be settled without the loss of another life, I subscribe myself, etc."U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General."GENERAL R. E. LEE."
"April 9, 1865.
"GENERAL:—Your note of yesterday is received. I have no authority to treat on the subject of peace; the meeting proposed for ten A.M. to-day could lead to no good. I will state, however, general, that I am equally anxious for peace with yourself, and the whole North entertains the same feeling. The terms upon which peace can be had are well understood. By the South laying down their arms they will hasten that most desirable event, save thousands of human lives, and hundreds of millions of property not yet destroyed. Seriously hoping that all our difficulties may be settled without the loss of another life, I subscribe myself, etc.
"U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General."GENERAL R. E. LEE."
On this morning of the 9th, General Ord's command and the 5th corps reached Appomattox Station just as the enemy was making a desperate effort to break through our cavalry. The infantry was at once thrown in. Soon after a white flag was received, requesting a suspension of hostilities pending negotiations for a surrender.
Before reaching General Sheridan's headquarters, I received the following from General Lee:
"April 9, 1865."GENERAL:—I received your note of this morning on the picket-line, whither I had come to meet you, and ascertain definitely what terms were embraced in your proposal of yesterday with reference to the surrender of this army. I now ask an interview, in accordance with the offer contained in your letter of yesterday, for that purpose."R. E. LEE, General."LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT."
"April 9, 1865.
"GENERAL:—I received your note of this morning on the picket-line, whither I had come to meet you, and ascertain definitely what terms were embraced in your proposal of yesterday with reference to the surrender of this army. I now ask an interview, in accordance with the offer contained in your letter of yesterday, for that purpose.
"R. E. LEE, General."LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT."
The interview was held at Appomattox Court-House, the result of which is set forth in the following correspondence:
APPOMATTOX COURT-HOUSE, Virginia, April 9, 1865."GENERAL: In accordance with the substance of my letter to you of the 8th instant, I propose to receive the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia on the following terms, to wit: Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate, one copy to be given to an officer to be designated by me, the other to be retained by such officer or officers as you may designate. The officers to give their individual paroles not to take up arms against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged; and each company or regimental commander sign a like parole for the men of their commands. The arms, artillery, and public property to be parked and stacked, and turned over to the officers appointed by me to receive them. This will not embrace the side-arms of the officers, nor their private horses or baggage. This done, each officer and man will be allowed to return to his home, not to be disturbed by United States authority so long as they observe their paroles and the laws in force where they may reside."U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General."GENERAL R. E. LEE.""HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, April 9, 1865."GENERAL: I have received your letter of this date containing the terms of surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia as proposed by you. As they are substantially the same as those expressed in your letter of the 8th instant, they are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officers to carry the stipulations into effect."R. E. LEE, General."LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT."
APPOMATTOX COURT-HOUSE, Virginia, April 9, 1865.
"GENERAL: In accordance with the substance of my letter to you of the 8th instant, I propose to receive the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia on the following terms, to wit: Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate, one copy to be given to an officer to be designated by me, the other to be retained by such officer or officers as you may designate. The officers to give their individual paroles not to take up arms against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged; and each company or regimental commander sign a like parole for the men of their commands. The arms, artillery, and public property to be parked and stacked, and turned over to the officers appointed by me to receive them. This will not embrace the side-arms of the officers, nor their private horses or baggage. This done, each officer and man will be allowed to return to his home, not to be disturbed by United States authority so long as they observe their paroles and the laws in force where they may reside.
"U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General."GENERAL R. E. LEE."
"HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, April 9, 1865.
"GENERAL: I have received your letter of this date containing the terms of surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia as proposed by you. As they are substantially the same as those expressed in your letter of the 8th instant, they are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officers to carry the stipulations into effect.
"R. E. LEE, General."LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT."
The command of Major-General Gibbon, the 5th army corps under Griffin, and Mackenzie's cavalry, were designated to remain at Appomattox Court-House until the paroling of the surrendered army was completed, and to take charge of the public property. The remainder of the army immediately returned to the vicinity of Burkesville.
General Lee's great influence throughout the whole South caused his example to be followed, and to-day the result is that the armies lately under his leadership are at their homes, desiring peace and quiet, and their arms are in the hands of our ordnance officers.
On the receipt of my letter of the 5th, General Sherman moved directly against Joe Johnston, who retreated rapidly on and through Raleigh, which place General Sherman occupied on the morning of the 13th. The day preceding, news of the surrender of General Lee reached him at Smithfield.
On the 14th a correspondence was opened between General Sherman and General Johnston, which resulted on the 18th in an agreement for a suspension of hostilities, and a memorandum or basis for peace, subject to the approval of the President. This agreement was disapproved by the President on the 21st, which disapproval, together with your instructions, was communicated to General Sherman by me in person on the morning of the 24th, at Raleigh, North Carolina, in obedience to your orders. Notice was at once given by him to General Johnston for the termination of the truce that had been entered into. On the 25th another meeting between them was agreed upon, to take place on the 26th, which terminated in the surrender and disbandment of Johnston's army upon substantially the same terms as were given to General Lee.
The expedition under General Stoneman from East Tennessee got off on the 20th of March, moving by way of Boone, North Carolina, and struck the railroad at Wytheville, Chambersburg, and Big Lick. The force striking it at Big Lick pushed on to within a few miles of Lynchburg, destroying the important bridges, while with the main force he effectually destroyed it between New River and Big Lick, and then turned for Greensboro', on the North Carolina Railroad; struck that road and destroyed the bridges between Danville and Greensboro', and between Greensboro' and the Yadkin, together with the depots of supplies along it, and captured four hundred prisoners. At Salisbury he attacked and defeated a force of the enemy under General Gardiner, capturing fourteen pieces of artillery and one thousand three hundred and sixty-four prisoners, and destroyed large amounts of army stores. At this place he destroyed fifteen miles of railroad and the bridges towards Charlotte. Thence he moved to Slatersville.
General Canby, who had been directed in January to make preparations for a movement from Mobile Bay against Mobile and the interior of Alabama, commenced his movement on the 20th of March. The 16th corps, Major-General A. J. Smith commanding, moved from Fort Gaines by water to Fish River; the 13th corps, under Major-General Gordon Granger, moved from Fort Morgan and joined the 16th corps on Fish River, both moving thence on Spanish Fort and investing it on the 27th; while Major-General Steele's command moved from Pensacola, cut the railroad leading from Tensas to Montgomery, effected a junction with them, and partially invested Fort Blakely. After a severe bombardment of Spanish Fort, a part of its line was carried on the 8th of April. During the night the enemy evacuated the fort. Fort Blakely was carried by assault on the 9th, and many prisoners captured; our loss was considerable. These successes practically opened to us the Alabama River, and enabled us to approach Mobile from the north. On the night of the 11th the city was evacuated, and was taken possession of by our forces on the morning of the 12th.
The expedition under command of Brevet Major-General Wilson, consisting of twelve thousand five hundred mounted men, was delayed by rains until March 22d, when it moved from Chickasaw, Alabama. On the 1st of April, General Wilson encountered the enemy in force under Forrest near Ebenezer Church, drove him in confusion, captured three hundred prisoners and three guns, and destroyed the central bridge over the Cahawba River. On the 2d he attacked and captured the fortified city of Selma, defended by Forrest, with seven thousand men and thirty-two guns, destroyed the arsenal, armory, naval foundry, machine-shops, vast quantities of stores, and captured three thousand prisoners. On the 4th he captured and destroyed Tuscaloosa. On the 10th he crossed the Alabama River, and after sending information of his operations to General Canby, marched on Montgomery, which place he occupied on the 14th, the enemy having abandoned it. At this place many stores and five steamboats fell into our hands. Thence a force marched direct on Columbus, and another on West Point, both of which places were assaulted and captured on the 16th. At the former place we got one thousand five hundred prisoners and fifty-two field-guns, destroyed two gunboats, the navy yard, foundries, arsenal, many factories, and much other public property. At the latter place we got three hundred prisoners, four guns, and destroyed nineteen locomotives and three hundred cars. On the 20th he took possession of Macon, Georgia, with sixty field-guns, one thousand two hundred militia, and five generals, surrendered by General Howell Cobb. General Wilson, hearing that Jeff. Davis was trying to make his escape, sent forces in pursuit and succeeded in capturing him on the morning of May 11th.
On the 4th day of May, General Dick Taylor surrendered to General Canby all the remaining rebel forces east of the Mississippi.
A force sufficient to insure an easy triumph over the enemy under Kirby Smith, west of the Mississippi, was immediately put in motion for Texas, and Major-General Sheridan designated for its immediate command; but on the 26th day of May, and before they reached their destination, General Kirby Smith surrendered his entire command to Major-General Canby. This surrender did not take place, however, until after the capture of the rebel President and Vice-President; and the bad faith was exhibited of first disbanding most of his army and permitting an indiscriminate plunder of public property.
Owing to the report that many of those lately in arms against the government had taken refuge upon the soil of Mexico, carrying with them arms rightfully belonging to the United States, which had been surrendered to us by agreement among them some of the leaders who had surrendered in person and the disturbed condition of affairs on the Rio Grande, the orders for troops to proceed to Texas were not changed.
There have been severe combats, raids, expeditions, and movements to defeat the designs and purposes of the enemy, most of them reflecting great credit on our arms, and which contributed greatly to our final triumph, that I have not mentioned. Many of these will be found clearly set forth in the reports herewith submitted; some in the telegrams and brief dispatches announcing them, and others, I regret to say, have not as yet been officially reported.
For information touching our Indian difficulties, I would respectfully refer to the reports of the commanders of departments in which they have occurred.
It has been my fortune to see the armies of both the West and the East fight battles, and from what I have seen I know there is no difference in their fighting qualities. All that it was possible for men to do in battle they have done. The Western armies commenced their battles in the Mississippi Valley, and received the final surrender of the remnant of the principal army opposed to them in North Carolina. The armies of the East commenced their battles on the river from which the Army of the Potomac derived its name, and received the final surrender of their old antagonists at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. The splendid achievements of each have nationalized our victories removed all sectional jealousies (of which we have unfortunately experienced too much), and the cause of crimination and recrimination that might have followed had either section failed in its duty. All have a proud record, and all sections can well congratulate themselves and each other for having done their full share in restoring the supremacy of law over every foot of territory belonging to the United States. Let them hope for perpetual peace and harmony with that enemy, whose manhood, however mistaken the cause, drew forth such herculean deeds of valor.
I have the honor to be,Very respectfully, your obedient servant,U. S. GRANT,Lieutenant-General.
THE END
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UNION ARMY ON THE RAPIDAN, MAY 5, 1864.[COMPILED.]LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT, Commander-in-Chief.MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE G. MEADE, Commanding Army of the Potomac.MAJ.-GEN. W. S. HANCOCK, commanding Second Army Corps.First Division, Brig.-Gen. Francis C. Barlow.First Brigade, Col. Nelson A. Miles.Second Brigade, Col. Thomas A. Smyth.Third Brigade, Col. Paul Frank.Fourth Brigade, Col. John R. Brooke.Second Division, Brig.-Gen. John Gibbon.First Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Alex. S. Webb.Second Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Joshua T. Owen.Third Brigade, Col. Samuel S. Carroll.Third Division, Maj.-Gen. David B. Birney.First Brigade, Brig.-Gen. J. H. H. Ward.Second Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Alexander Hays.Fourth Divisin, Brig.-Gen. Gershom Mott.First Brigade, Col. Robert McAllister.Second Brigade, Col. Wm. R. Brewster.Artillery Brigade, Col. John C. Tidball.MAJ.-GEN. G. K. WARREN, commanding Fifth Army Corps.First Division, Brig.-Gen. Charles Griffin.First Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Romeyn B. Ayres.Second Brigade, Col. Jacob B. Sweitzer.Third Brigade, Brig.-Gen. J. J. Bartlett.Second Division, Brig.-Gen. John C. Robinson.First Brigade, Col. Samuel H. Leonard.Second Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Henry Baxter.Third Brigade, Col. Andrew W. Denison.Third Division, Brig.-Gen. Samuel W. Crawford.First Brigade, Col. Wm McCandless.Third Brigade, Col. Joseph W. Fisher.Fourth Division, Brig.-Gen. James S. Wadsworth.First Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Lysander Cutler.Second Brigade Brig.-Gen. James C. Rice.Third Brigade, Col. Roy StoneArtillery Brigade, Col. S. S. Wainwright.MAJ.-GEN. JOHN SEDGWICK, commanding Sixth Army Corps.First Division, Brig.-Gen. H. G. Wright.First Brigade, Col. Henry W. Brown.Second Brigade, Col. Emory Upton.Third Brigade, Brig.-Gen. D. A. Russell.Fourth Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Alexander Shaler.Second Division, Brig.-Gen. George W. Getty.First Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Frank Wheaton.Second Brigade, Col. Lewis A. Grant.Third Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Thos. H. Neill.Fourth Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Henry L. Eustis.Third Division, Brig.-Gen. James Ricketts.First Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Wm. H. Morris.Second Brigade, Brig.-Gen. T. Seymour.Artillery Brigade, Col. C. H. TompkinsMAJ.-GEN. P. H. SHERIDAN, commanding Cavalry Corps.First Division, Brig.-Gen. A. T. A. Torbert.First Brigade, Brig.-Gen. G. A. Custer.Second Brigade, Col. Thos. C. Devin.Reserve Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Wesley MerrittSecond Division, Brig.-Gen. D. McM. Gregg.First Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Henry E. Davies, Jr.Second Brigade, Col. J. Irvin Gregg.Third Division, Brig.-Gen. J. H. Wilson.First Brigade, Col. T. M. Bryan, Jr.Second Brigade, Col. Geo. H. Chapman.MAJ.-GEN. A. E. BURNSIDE, commanding Ninth Army Corps.First Division, Brig.-Gen. T. G. Stevenson.First Brigade, Col. Sumner Carruth.Second Brigade, Col. Daniel Leasure.Second Division, Brig.-Gen. Robert B. Potter.First Brigade, Col. Zenas R. Bliss.Second Brigade, Col. Simon G. Griffin.Third Division, Brig.-Gen. Orlando Willcox.First Brigade, Col. John F. Hartranft.Second Brigade, Col. Benj. C. Christ.Fourth Division, Brig.-Gen. Edward Ferrero.First Brigade, Col. Joshua K. Sigfried.Second Brigade, Col. Henry G. Thomas.Provisional Brigade, Col. Elisha G. Marshall.BRIG.-GEN. HENRY J. HUNT, commanding Artillery.Reserve, Col. H. S. Burton.First Brigade, Col. J. H. Kitching.Second Brigade, Maj. J. A. Tompkins.First Brig. Horse Art., Capt. J. M. Robertson.Second Brigade, Horse Art., Capt. D. R. Ransom.Third Brigade, Maj. R. H. Fitzhugh.GENERAL HEADQUARTERS.......Provost Guard, Brig.-Gen. M. R. Patrick.Volunteer Engineers, Brig.-Gen. H. W. Benham.CONFEDERATE ARMY.Organization of the Army of Northern Virginia, Commanded byGENERAL ROBERT E. LEE, August 31st, 1834.First Army Corps: LIEUT.-GEN. R. H. ANDERSON, Commanding.MAJ.-GEN. GEO. E. PICKETT'S Division.Brig.-Gen. Seth M. Barton's Brigade. (a)Brig.-Gen. M. D. Corse's "" Eppa Hunton's "" Wm. R. Terry's "MAJ.-GEN. C. W. FIELD'S Division. (b)Brig.-Gen. G. T. Anderson's Brigade" E. M. Law's (c) "" John Bratton's "MAJ.-GEN. J. B. KERSHAW'S Division. (d)Brig.-Gen. W. T. Wofford's Brigade" B. G. Humphreys' "" Goode Bryan's "" Kershaw's (Old) "Second Army Corps: MAJOR-GENERAL JUBAL A. EARLY, CommandingMAJ.-GEN. JOHN B. GORDON'S Division.Brig.-Gen. H. T. Hays' Brigade. (e)" John Pegram 's " (f)" Gordon's " (g)Brig.-Gen. R. F. Hoke's "MAJ.-GEN. EDWARD JOHNSON'S Division.Stonewall Brig. (Brig.-Gen. J. A. Walker). (h)Brig.-Gen. J M Jones' Brigade. (h)" Geo H. Stewart's " (h)" L. A. Stafford's " (e)MAJ.-GEN. R. E. RODES' Division.Brig.-Gen. J. Daniel's Brigade. (i)" Geo. Dole's " (k)" S. D. Ramseur's Brigade." C. A. Battle's "" R. D. Johnston's " (f)Third Army Corps: LIEUT.-GEN. A. P. HILL, Commanding.MAJ.-GEN. WM. MAHONE'S Division. (l)Brig.-Gen. J. C. C. Sanders' Brigade.Mahone's "Brig.-Gen. N. H. Harris's " (m)" A. R. Wright's "" Joseph Finegan's "MAJ.-GEN. C. M. WILCOX'S Division.Brig.-Gen. E. L. Thomas's Brigade (n)" James H. Lane's "" Sam'l McCowan's "" Alfred M. Scale's "MAJ.-GEN. H. HETH'S Division. (o)Brig.-Gen. J. R. Davis's Brigade." John R. Cooke's "" D. McRae's "" J. J. Archer's "" H. H. Walker's "_unattached_: 5th Alabama Battalion.Cavalry Corps: LIEUTENANT-GENERAL WADE HAMPTON, Commanding.(p)MAJ.-GEN. FITZHUGH LEE'S DivisionBrig.-Gen. W. C. Wickham's Brigade" L. L. Lomax's "MAJ.-GEN. M. C. BUTLER'S Division.Brig.-Gen. John Dunovant's Brigade." P. M. B. Young's "" Thomas L. Rosser's "MAJ.-GEN. W. H. F. LEE'S Division.Brig.-Gen. Rufus Barringer's Brigade." J. R. Chambliss's "Artillery Reserve: BRIG.-GEN. W. N. PENDLETON, Commanding.BRIG.-GEN. E. P. ALEXANDER'S DIVISION.*Cabell's Battalion.Manly's Battery.1st Co. Richmond Howitzers.Carleton's Battery.Calloway's Battery.Haskell's Battalion.Branch's Battery.Nelson's "Garden's "Rowan "Huger's Battalion.Smith's Battery.Moody "Woolfolk "Parker's "Taylor's "Fickling's "Martin's "Gibb's Battalion.Davidson's Battery.Dickenson's "Otey's "BRIG.-GEN. A. L. LONG'S DIVISION.Braxton's Battalion.Lee Battery.1st Md. Artillery.Stafford "Alleghany "Cutshaw's Battalion.Charlotteville Artillery.Staunton "Courtney "Carter's Battalion.Morris Artillery.Orange "King William Artillery.Jeff Davis "Nelson's Battalion.Amherst Artillery.Milledge "Fluvauna "Brown's Battalion.Powhatan Artillery.2d Richmond Howitzers.3d " "Rockbridge Artillery.Salem Flying Artillery.COL R. L.WALKER'S DIVISION.Cutt's Battalion.Ross's Battery.Patterson's Battery.Irwin Artillery.Richardson's Battalion.Lewis Artillery.Donaldsonville Artillery.Norfolk Light "Huger "Mclntosh 's Battalion.Johnson's Battery.Hardaway Artillery.Danville "2d Rockbridge Artillery.Pegram's Battalion.Peedee Artillery.Fredericksburg Artillery.Letcher "Purcell Battery.Crenshaw's Battery.Poague's Battalion.Madison Artillery.Albemarle "Brooke "Charlotte "NOTE.(a) COL. W. R. Aylett was in command Aug. 29th, and probably atabove date.(b) Inspection report of this division shows that it alsocontained Benning's and Gregg's Brigades. (c) Commanded byColonel P. D. Bowles.(d) Only two brigadier-generals reported for duty; names notindicated.Organization of the Army of the Valley District.(e) Constituting York's Brigade.(f) In Ramseur's Division.(g) Evan's Brigade, Colonel E. N. Atkinson commanding, andcontaining 12th Georgia Battalion.(h) The Virginia regiments constituted Terry's Brigade, Gordon'sDivision.(i) Grimes' Brigade.(k) Cook's "(l) Returns report but one general officer present for duty;name not indicated.(m) Colonel Joseph M. Jayne, commanding.(n) Colonel Thomas J. Simmons, commanding. (o) Fourbrigadier-generals reported present for duty; names notindicated.(p) On face of returns appears to have consisted of Hampton's,Fitz-Lee's, and W. H. F. Lee's Division, and Dearing's Brigade.* But one general officer reported present for duty in theartillery, and Alexander's name not on the original.
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GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN
HIS COMRADES IN ARMS,
VOLUNTEERS AND REGULARS.
Nearly ten years have passed since the close of the civil war in America, and yet no satisfactory history thereof is accessible to the public; nor should any be attempted until the Government has published, and placed within the reach of students, the abundant materials that are buried in the War Department at Washington. These are in process of compilation; but, at the rate of progress for the past ten years, it is probable that a new century will come before they are published and circulated, with full indexes to enable the historian to make a judicious selection of materials.
What is now offered is not designed as a history of the war, or even as a complete account of all the incidents in which the writer bore a part, but merely his recollection of events, corrected by a reference to his own memoranda, which may assist the future historian when he comes to describe the whole, and account for the motives and reasons which influenced some of the actors in the grand drama of war.
I trust a perusal of these pages will prove interesting to the survivors, who have manifested so often their intense love of the "cause" which moved a nation to vindicate its own authority; and, equally so, to the rising generation, who therefrom may learn that a country and government such as ours are worth fighting for, and dying for, if need be.
If successful in this, I shall feel amply repaid for departing from the usage of military men, who seldom attempt to publish their own deeds, but rest content with simply contributing by their acts to the honor and glory of their country.
WILLIAM T. SHERMAN,General
St. Louis, Missouri, January 21, 1875.
Another ten years have passed since I ventured to publish my Memoirs, and, being once more at leisure, I have revised them in the light of the many criticisms public and private.
My habit has been to note in pencil the suggestions of critics, and to examine the substance of their differences; for critics must differ from the author, to manifest their superiority.
Where I have found material error I have corrected; and I have added two chapters, one at the beginning, another at the end, both of the most general character, and an appendix.
I wish my friends and enemies to understand that I disclaim the character of historian, but assume to be a witness on the stand before the great tribunal of history, to assist some future Napier, Alison, or Hume to comprehend the feelings and thoughts of the actors in the grand conflicts of the recent past, and thereby to lessen his labors in the compilation necessary for the future benefit of mankind.
In this free country every man is at perfect liberty to publish his own thoughts and impressions, and any witness who may differ from me should publish his own version of facts in the truthful narration of which he is interested. I am publishing my own memoirs, not theirs, and we all know that no three honest witnesses of a simple brawl can agree on all the details. How much more likely will be the difference in a great battle covering a vast space of broken ground, when each division, brigade, regiment, and even company, naturally and honestly believes that it was the focus of the whole affair! Each of them won the battle. None ever lost. That was the fate of the old man who unhappily commanded.
In this edition I give the best maps which I believe have ever been prepared, compiled by General O. M. Poe, from personal knowledge and official surveys, and what I chiefly aim to establish is the true cause of the results which are already known to the whole world; and it may be a relief to many to know that I shall publish no other, but, like the player at cards, will "stand;" not that I have accomplished perfection, but because I can do no better with the cards in hand. Of omissions there are plenty, but of wilful perversion of facts, none.
In the preface to the first edition, in 1875, I used these words: "Nearly ten years have passed since the close of the civil war in America, and yet no satisfactory history thereof is accessible to the public; nor should any be attempted until the Government has published, and placed within the reach of students, the abundant materials that are buried in the War Department at Washington. These are in process of compilation; but, at the rate of progress for the past ten years, it is probable that a new century will come before they are published and circulated, with full indexes to enable the historian to make a judicious selection of materials"
Another decade is past, and I am in possession of all these publications, my last being Volume XI, Part 3, Series 1, the last date in which is August 30, 1862. I am afraid that if I assume again the character of prophet, I must extend the time deep into the next century, and pray meanwhile that the official records of the war, Union and Confederate, may approach completion before the "next war," or rather that we, as a people, may be spared another war until the last one is officially recorded. Meantime the rising generation must be content with memoirs and histories compiled from the best sources available.
In this sense I offer mine as to the events of which I was an eye-witness and participant, or for which I was responsible.
WILLIAM T. SHERMAN,General (retired).
St. Louis, Missouri, March 30, 1885.
I.
FROM 1820 TO THE MEXICAN WAR, 1846
II.
EARLY RECOLLECTIONS OF CALIFORNIA—1846-1848
III.
EARLY RECOLLECTIONS OF CALIFORNIA—(Continued)—1849-1850
IV.
MISSOURI, LOUISIANA, AND CALIFORNIA—1850-1855
V.
CALIFORNIA—1855-1857
VI.
CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, AND KANSAS—1857-1859
VII.
LOUISIANA—1859-1861
VIII.
MISSOURI—APRIL AND MAY, 1861
IX.
FROM THE BATTLE OF BULL RUN TO PADUCAH—1861-1862
X.
BATTLE OF SHILOH—MARCH AND APRIL, 1862
XI.
SHILOH TO MEMPIIIs-APRIL TO JULY, 1862
XII.
MEMPHIS To ARKANSAS POST—JULY, 1862, TO JANUARY, 1863
XIII.
VICKSBURG—JANUARY TO JULY, 1863
XIV.
CHATTANOOGA AND KNOXVILLE—JULY TO DECEMBER, 1863
XV.
MERIDIAN CAMPAIGN—JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, 1864
APPENDIX TO VOLUME ONE
XVI.
ATLANTA CAMPAIGN-NASHVILLE AND CHATTANOOGA TO KENESAW—MARCH, APRIL, AND MAY, 1864
XVII.
ATLANTA CAMPAIGN—BATTLES ABOUT KENESAW MOUNTAIN—JUNE, 1864
XVIII.
ATLANTA CAMPAIGN—BATTLES ABOUT ATLANTA—JULY, 1864
XIX.
CAPTURE OF ATLANTA—AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 1864
XX.
ATLANTA AND AFTER—PURSUIT OF HOOD—SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, 1864
XXI.
THE MARCH TO THE SEA--FROM ATLANTA TO SAVANNAH--NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 1864
XXII.
SAVANNAH AND POCOTALIGO--DECEMBER, 1864, AND JANUARY, 1865
XXIII.
CAMPAIGN OF THE CAROLINAS--FEBRUARY AND MARCH, 1865
XXIV.
END OF THE WAR--FROM GOLDSBORO' TO RALEIGH AND WASHINGTON--APRIL AND MAY, 1865
XXV.
CONCLUSION--MILITARY LESSONS OF THE WAR
XXVI.
AFTER THE WAR
Portrait of General Sherman.Map—Region about Shiloh, Corinth and Iuka.Map—Arkansas Post Captured.Map—Expedition to Steele's Bayou, Deer Creek, etc.Map—Turning Operation—The Vicksburg Campaign 1863Map—Meridian CampaignPortrait of General ThomasPortrait of General McPhersonPortrait of General SchofieldMap—Atlanta Campaign I.Map—Atlanta Campaign II.Map—Atlanta Campaign III.Map—Atlanta Campaign IV.Map—Atlanta Campaign V.Map—Atlanta Campaign VI.—Siege of AtlantaMap--Atlanta to Savannah.Map--Savannah to ColumbiaMap--Columbia to RaleighMap--Raleigh to WashingtonArmy and Corps Commanders--End of War