General — I have this moment received your communication of this date.
I am fully empowered to arrange with you any terms for the suspension of further hostilities as between the armies commanded by you and those commanded by myself, and will be willing to confer with you to that end. I will limit the advance of my main column to-morrow to
Morrisville, and the cavalry to the
University, and expect that you will also maintain the present position of your forces until each has notice of a failure to agree.
That a basis of action may be had, I undertake to abide by the same terms and conditions as were made by
Gens. Grant and
Lee at Appomattox Court House, on the 9th instant, relative to our two armies; and, furthermore, to obtain from
Gen. Grant an order to suspend the movements of any troops from the direction of
Virginia.
Gen. Stoneman is under my command, and my order will suspend any devastation or destruction contemplated by him. I will add that I really desire to save the people of
North Carolina the damages they would sustain by the march of this army through central or western parts of the
State.
I am, with respect, your obedient servant,