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of the army.
I also advised the immediate flight of the high civil functionaries under proper escort.
The belief that impelled me to urge the civil authorities of the Confederacy to make peace, that it would be a great crime to prolong the war, prompted me to disobey these instructions — the last that I received from the Confederate Government.
They would have given the President an escort too heavy for flight, and not strong enough to force a way for him; and would have spread ruin over all the South, by leading the three great invading armies in pursuit.
In that belief, I determined to do all in my power to bring about a termination of hostilities.
I therefore proposed to General Sherman another armistice and conference for that purpose, suggesting as a basis, the clause of the recent convention relating to the army.
This was reported to the Confederate Government at once.
General Sherman's dispatch, expressing his agreement to a conference, was received soon after sunrise on the 26th; and I set out for the former place of meeting, as soon as practicable, after announcing to the Administration that I was about to do so.
We met at noon in Mr. Bennett's house as before.
I found General Sherman, as he appeared in our previous conversation, anxious to prevent further bloodshed, so we agreed without difficulty upon terms putting an end to the war within the limits of our commands which happened to be co-extensive-terms which we expected to produce a general pacification.
As will be remembered,
Mr. Stanton caused to be made public the following ‘among others,’ as the grounds upon which the original terms were rejected:
First—It was an exercise of authority not vested in General Sherman, and on its face shows that both he and Johnston knew that General Sherman had no authority to enter into any such arrangement.
Second—It was an acknowledgment of the rebel Government.
Third—It is understood to reestablish rebel State Governments that had been overthrown at the sacrifice of many thousands of loyal lives and immense treasure, and placed arms and munitions of war in the hands of rebels at their respective capitals, which might be used as soon as the armies of the United States were disbanded, and used to conquer and subdue loyal States.
Fourth—By the restoration of the rebel authority in their respective States, they would be enabled to reestablish slavery.
Fifth—It might furnish a ground of responsibility by the Federal Government to pay the rebel debt, and certainly subjects loyal citizens of the rebel States to debts contracted by rebels in the name of the States.
Sixth—It put in dispute the existence of loyal State Governments, and the new State of West Virginia, which had been recognized by every department of the United States Government.
Seventh—It practically abolished the confiscation laws, and relieved
