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and if no further molestation occur, we can give them our usual weekly greeting.
General Johnston desires you to make public the following orders:
General orders no. 18.—
headquarters army of Tennessee, near Greensboroa, N. C. April 27, 1865.,
By the terms of the military convention, made on the 26th, by Major-General W. T. Sherman, United States Army, the officers and men of this army bind themselves not to take up arms against the United States, until properly relieved from their obligations, and shall receive guarantees from the United States against molestation by the United States authorities, so long as they observe that obligation and the law is enforced where they reside.
For these objects muster rolls will be made immediately, and after the distribution of the necessary papers the troops will march under their officers to their respective States, and then be disbanded, all retaining personal property.
The objects of this convention is pacification to the extent of the authority of the commanders who make it.
Events in Virginia, which broke every hope of our success by war, imposed on its general the duty of sparing the blood of the gallant army, and saving our country from further devastation and our people from ruin.
(Signed) 