State-Wide, NC - Sherman & Johnston Conference, 1865

                          ~~~~~~~~~~

The Conference Between Sherman and Johston - Union Sentiment in
North Carolina - Gov. Vance not Captured.

New York, April 25 - The World's Washington special says advices
received here today, direct from Raleigh, state that the conference
between Sherman and and Johnston took place at Chapel Hill, some 
fifteen miles west of Raleigh. Johnston's army, composed of about
30,000 men, including Hampton's and Wheeler's calvary, lay 30
miles from the city, on the road running to Charlotte. On the
second interview, Breckinridge, the rebel Secretary of War, was
present, and participated in drawing up the already published
memoranda of terms of capitulation. During the conversation he 
freely admitted the failure of the rebellion and declared that
peace was almost at hand, and, in alluding to the Constitutional
amendment, said it was strickly the legal way of abolishing slavery,
and he predicted its ratification by more than two-thirds of 
the states.

It was understood that during this conference, which lasted two
days, Jeff. Davis was at Hillsboro, and in telegraphic communication
with Breckinridge at Johnston's headquarters. The mass of rebel
army, with the exception of now and then some officer, were anxious
for peace and desired to go home.

Throughout North Carolina there have been most earnest exhibitions
of loyalty. When our forces entered Raleigh the papers there, the
Standard, edited by Holden, and the Progress, were found to have
been such strong Union sheets for some time past that their
publication was in no wise interferred with. They continued with
their regular issue. No public or private property was molested
by our troops, and the citizens, including large numbers of ladies,
appeared as usual on the streets. Business was not even suspended.

The news of the President's assassination reached Raleigh last
Wednesday. That night a very large meeting of citizens was held,
at which resolutions were passed denouncing the deed and expressing
sympathy for the nation and the people. The size of the meeting
surprised the army, who stood aloof from it.

Gov. Vance skedaddled before our troops entered the place. The 
report of his capture is therefore untrue.

When this intelligence left Raleigh it was the opinion in the
army that the terms of Johnston's surrender were unconditional
submission: Among Generals of high rank, no others were known 
or ever hinted at.

April 26, 1865
The Daily Ohio Statesman

______________________________________________________________________

Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by
Connie Ardrey
______________________________________________________________________