CAPTURE OF JOHNSTON'S ARMY.
As soon as Sherman's army encamped at Goldsboro, it began to prepare
for a new campaign. Nearly three weeks were required to refit and
equip, and accumulate supplies necessary for the pursuit of Johnston's
army, which was held well in hand about Smithfield.
On the 9th of April, an order was read to our division, from General
Grant to General Sherman, directing him to move on Johnston and press
him. Prior to this, an order had also been read, announcing the capture
of Richmond, which created universal joy. Accordingly, early on the
morning of the 10th of April, the army was set in motion against
Johnston, whose entire force was estimated at thirty-five thousand
effective men.
The 14th Corps marched up the eastern bank of the Neuse river, and
arrived at Smithfield on the evening of the 11th. Johnston had rapidly
retreated across the Neuse, and having his railway to lighten up his
trains, could fall back faster than we could pursue. The rains had also
set in, making the roads almost impassable, and rendering a deal of
corduroying necessary.
On the morning of the 12th, the announcement of the surrender of rebel
General R. E. Lee's entire army, was made to our corps, causing
feelings of inexpressible joy. To us, it was great, grand and glorious
news.
Upon this intelligence, General Sherman gave orders to drop all trains,
and the army marched rapidly on to Raleigh where our division arrived
in the afternoon of the 13th, Johnston's army having hastily retreated
on the roads from Hillsboro to Greensboro. Remaining in Raleigh, over
the night of the 13th, the 14th Corps, resumed the march on the 14th,
moving south-west in the direction of Salisbury, Morgan's division
arriving at Avon's Ferry on the Cape Fear river, on the afternoon of
the 15th.
Thus matters stood when General Sherman received a communication from
General Johnston that arrested all hostile movements for the time
being. Our division now took up camp to await the results of
negotiations between the commanders of the two opposing armies, which
finally resulted in the surrender of Johnston's entire force.
The country between Goldsboro and Smithfield was usually low and
swampy, affording good positions for the enemy's cavalry, which, in
small force, and for a short time, would take advantage of them. On the
contrary, however, the country between Smithfield and Raleigh was
enchanting: we had not seen its equal in all the South. When our
division was within fourteen miles of the city of Raleigh, a flag of
truce train was sent to meet us, offering its surrender, which being
accepted, the rest of the march was unobstructed according to
conditions.
Kilpatrick's command was the first to enter it, and while the General
was riding at the head of his men, some reprobate had the audacity to
shoot at him. The offender was caught and hung.
The people of this place seemed glad that the "vandals" had come.
Raleigh was the handsomest city in all famous Dixie, it being neat and
clean, and its situation grand, the surrounding country affording an
extensive view. Here was found many of the handsome feminine chivalry,
who having fled before us from the line of our raids, finally concluded
to meet face to face the "grim-visaged Yanks."
Our division now remained at Avon's Ferry, on the Cape Fear, five miles
below the confluence of the Haw and Deep rivers, for five days, in a
sickly swamp. At this place, the Eighty-sixth Illinois set to work and
put up comfortable quarters, after which the boys lay round in the
shade, discussing the prospects of a speedy peace, when by and by, some
one brought the dreadful rumor of the assassination of President
Lincoln, which became confirmed on the evening of the 18th, Sherman's
order to that effect being read to our division.
This sad intelligence cast a deep gloom over their joy in the
anticipations of peace. It was heard by every member of the regiment,
and division, with feelings and expressions of the keenest sorrow.
Finally, a memorandum or basis of agreement, was drawn up by General
Sherman, which, for the time being, was satisfactory to General
Johnston and all present as a proposition to be submitted to the
President of the United States for ratification or rejection, it being
sent to Washington with all possible haste.
While these things were pending, our division was moved from the Cape
Fear river to Holly Springs, on the 21st, that it might be nearer
communications. When the memorandum between Sherman and Johnston was
received by the cabinet at Washington, it was disapproved, and General
Grant, with the following letter of instructions, was sent, in haste,
to General Sherman:
"WAR DEPARTMENT,
"_Washington City_, April 21, 1865.
"GENERAL: The memorandum or basis agreed upon between General
Sherman and General Johnston having been submitted to the
President, they are disapproved. You will give notice of the
disapproval to General Sherman, and direct him to resume
hostilities at the earliest moment.
"The instructions given to you by the late President, Abraham
Lincoln, on the 3rd of March, by my telegram of that date
addressed to you, express substantially the views of President
Andrew Johnson, and will be observed by General Sherman.
"A copy is herewith appended.
"The President desires that you proceed immediately to the
headquarters of General Sherman, and direct operations against
the enemy.
Yours truly,
"EDWIN M. STANTON,
"_Secretary of War_.
"TO LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT."
This dispatch was received on the morning of the 24th. General Sherman
instantly gave notice to Gen. Johnston as follows: "I have replies from
Washington to my communication of the 18th. I am instructed to limit my
operations to your immediate command, and not attempt civil
negotiations. I therefore demand the surrender of your army on the same
terms as were given to General Lee at Appomattox, Va., on the 9th of
April, instant, purely and simply."
General Sherman now issued orders terminating the truce on the 26th, at
12 o'clock M., and ordered all to be in readiness to march at that
time.
Again, on the 25th, General Johnston invited General Sherman to another
conference, with a view to surrender. It now became the province of
General Grant to take the lead in negotiations, but he preferred that
Sherman should consummate the work. Nevertheless, General Johnston was
afforded another interview. At this conference final terms were soon
concluded, and the second grand army of the Confederacy was surrendered
to Sherman on the following terms:
"All acts of war on the part of the troops under General Johnston's
command to cease from this date. All arms and public property to be
deposited at Greensboro, and delivered to an ordnance officer of
the United States Army. Rolls of all officers and men to be made in
duplicate, one copy to be retained by the commander of the troops,
and the other to be given to an officer to be designated by General
Sherman. Each officer and man to give his individual obligation in
writing not to take up arms against the Government of the United
States until properly released from this obligation. The side-arms
of officers, and their private horses and baggage to be retained by
them.
"This being done, all the officers and men will be permitted to
return to their homes, not to be disturbed by the United States
authorities so long as they observe their obligations and the law
in force where they may reside."
Immediately on the conclusion of the definite cartel of surrender,
General Sherman issued orders for the future movements of his army. Its
work was done, and nothing remained for the greater portion of it not
required to garrison the conquered country but to return home and
disband.
The real and genuine feelings felt and expressed by the soldiers of our
army at the surrender of Johnston, the return of peace, and the fact of
their immediate march towards the homes from which they had been so
long absent, cannot be written. It caused a thrill of emotions in every
heart beyond the reach of the pen to portray.
The Eighty-sixth Illinois was still camped at Holly Springs when the
glorious news of the fall of Johnston and the order for the homeward
march was received. Every man was electrified with the great, grand and
glorious news. Horrid visions of the past no longer possessed a single
mind, but the hearty welcome, the joys and pleasures of a distant home,
and the dear, beloved friends that made it home, crowded the mind of
every one with inexpressible feelings of delight. Every man was more
nimble, more talkative and more pleasant than ever before.
Nothing could be more enlivening, more vivifying and more devoutly to
be wished than the very position in which they stood. Long and tedious
marches had lost their dread, and every one became anxious to be
homeward bound.
Bright visions of a future welcome at Peoria rose up before the minds
of all--for there we would be met by the joys of our long absent
friends, and the kind hospitality of the noble and generous-hearted
ladies of the Women's National League--ladies who justly deserve our
hearty thanks for their humane and loyal efforts to cheer and aid us in
the field and at home. Their noble deeds will ever maintain a sacred
spot on the tablets of our memory.