The National tribune. [volume], May 12, 1892, Image 1

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"TO CARE FOR HIM WHO HAS BORNE THE BATTLE, AND FOR HIS WIDOW AND ORPHANS
XT.
ESTABLISHED 1S77-NEW SERIES.
WASHINGTON. D. CL THUHSDAY. MAY 12, 1892. -TWELVE PAGES.
70L. Xl-iSO. 41-WHOLE NO. 561.
CAMPAIGN THROUGH
T1-GAR0LM
With Kilpatrick from Goldsboro to
the Ead of the War.
LiEE'S SURRENDER.
Joy in Sherman's Ranks at the
Glorious News.
THE GRAND ROUNDUP.
Scenes with Wheeler's Cavalry
when They Surrendered.
k" T Ml
HJI
v- M r?
iUT A lOTH OHIO CAVALRYMAN.
in.
BOUT this time came
the news that the
Confederate Govern
ment, -with Gen. Lee's
army, had hastily
abandoned K i c h -
H$M&$ , disorder toward Dan
ville, and that Gen.
Grant's whole army
was in close pursuit.
"We inferred that Lee
would succeed i n
uniting with John
ston somewhere in
our front, where a
great and decisive
battle would he
fought, for,
"When Greek meets Greek then comes the tug of
war."
Thus, while we rejoiced over the good
news, cur hopes became mingled with fear.
On the 8th Sherman received from Grant
the following dispatch, dated April 5:
All indications now are that Lee Will attempt to
reach Danville with tho remnant of his forces.
Sheridan, who was up with him last night, reports
all that is left with him horse, foot and drngoon
&t 20,000. much demoralized. We hope to reduce
this number one-half. I will push on to Burkes
ville, and if a stand is made at Danville will, in a
very few daysr go there. If you can possibly do so
push on from where you are, and let us see if we
cannot finish the Job with .Lee and Johnston's
armies. Whether it will be better for you to btrike
for Greentboro or nearer to Danville, you will bo
better able to judge when you receive this, licbel
armies now are the only points to strike at.
Gen. Sherman replied immediately that'
he would move on the 10 th, prepared to
follow Johnston wherever he might go.
With the addition of Schofield's and Terry's
Corps Sherman's army numbered infantry,
60,9G3; artillery, 2,443; cavalry, 5,537; total,
88,948, with 91 guns.
Promptly on Monday morning, April 10,
the array moved direct on Smithfield; the
right wing making a circuit by the right,
while the left wing, supported by the center,
moved on the two roads toward Raleigh,
distant 50 miles. Gen. Terry's and Kil
patrick's troops moved from their position
on the south side of the Neuse Eiver by
Cox's Bridge. The next day, without much
opposition, the army reached Smithfield;
found it abandoned, Johnston's army having
retreated on Raleigh, burning the bridges
after them, to restore which consumed the
remainder of the day.
At Smithfield Sherman received a dispatch
from Gen. Grant that Lee had surrendered
to him his whole army at Appomattox,
which Sherman at once announced to his
troops by the following order April 12:
The General Commanding announces to the
nrrny that he huh ofllcitil notice from Gen. Grant
that Gen. Lee surrendered to him his entire army
on the 3th instant at Appomattox Courthouse, Vn.
Glory to God and our country 1 All honor to our
comrades-in-arms, toward whom wcare matching.
A little more labor, n little more toil on our part,
and the race is won and our Governmcnt'stands
regenerated after four long years of war.
I well remember the next morning as we
were advancing on Raleigh, when this news
came, bow the boys threw away their over
coats and blankets and went into the fight,
and how they cheered and swung their hats
when it was announced along the line that
Lee's army had surrendered. It was about
10 o'clock in the morning, and the 10th
Ohio Cav.,of the Second Brigade, led the ad
vance, followed by the Third Brigade, while
the First brought up the rear. "While our
BkirmJsh-liuc was engaged with "Wheeler's
forces, as they slowly gave ground, we heard
a cheer away back in the rear. Col. Sander
son inquired of me what it meant; and as it
still continued, said he did not like the looks
of things in the rear, and ordered me to hold
the skirmishers while he rode back, as the
cheer indicated trouble in that direction.
The first impression was that Hampton's
forces had worked around and struck the
column in flank. Soon we heard a fresh
outbreak nearer; then nearer, when upon
looking back wc saw Capt. Cockley, one of
Kilpatrick's Aids, riding rapidly up, his
horse white with foam. Saluting the Colo
nel, he said: "Announce to your regiment
that Gen. Lee has surrendered." The Colo
nel replied, while his sword dropped by his
eide, "My God, is it possible? Then the
war is ended."
The perfect furore of rejoicing that fol
lowed filled our eyes with tears
AND OUR HEARTS WITH THANKSGIVING
lo Almighty God for such glorious news.
The grand old Army of the Potomac,
after so many years, is thus crowned by
Grant's genius with magnificent laurels.
In the language of our noble General we
all shouted, "Glory to God and our glorious
country."
Shortly after the cheer had died away,
while we were still xressing Wheeler back,
Kilpatrick rode up, giving Atkins instruc
tions to bring up the balance of his brigade
and make a charge on the center ; not to
fire a "gun, but use the saber. The charge
was made with that dash and boldness
which characterized Kilpatrick's men, and
the enemjs legions were turned back and
scattered in confusion. "Wc captured a large
number of prisoners. The advance was
closety supported by Jordan's and Spencer's
Brigades, and durinir the afternoon Kilpat
rick, getting in Hampton's rear, drove
three of "Wheeler's Brigades from their po
sition, scattering them in every direction,
hiking many more prisoners, among thjn
ex-Senator Graham, Mr. Swain, President of
Chapel Hill University, and a Surgeon Wnr
ren, of the Confederate army, who had been
sent down with a letter from Gov. Vance to
Sherman asking protection for the citizens
of Raleigh, the Capital of North Carolina.
Tbey had run up before our lines across the
railroad trac with a locomotive and one
car with a flag of truce, to which they were
not entitled. Still, in the interest of peace,
it was respected and they were permitted to
return to Raleigh.
A few days before Yance was fearfully
belligerent and valiant in his threats to de
molish this army, but had fled, and could
not be prevailed on to return, because he
feared an arrest and imprisonment.
On the "3tli Sherman entered Raleigh,
where he ordered the several heads of col
umn toward Ashville, in the direction of
Salisbury or Charlotte, and by orders indi
cated that the next movement would be on
Ashboro, ifi turn the position of the enemy
at " Company's Shops," in rear of If aw River
Bridge, and at Greensboro to cut off his only
available line of retreat to Salisbury and
Charlotte.
Gen. Kilpatrick, who was then on the right
front of the right wiug, was to keep up a
SHOW OF PUKSCIT
in the direction of Hillsboro and Graham,
but to be ready to cross Haw River on Gen.
Howard's pontoon bridge at or near Pitts
boro, and from thence to operate toward
Greensboro.
The right wing was to move out on the
Chapel-Hill road in the direction of Chapel
Hill University, to act with the center, the
main column and trains, via Hackney's
Crossroads, over Haw River, with cavalry on
pontoons; the center to move on Holly
Springs, New Hill, Haywood, and Moffitt's
Mills; the left wing by the Aven's Ferry
road, Carthage, Caledonia, and Cox's Mills.
Kilpatrick's cavalry was still ahead. He
had driven Wade Hampton's cavalry through
Raleigh, while the infantry column took a
more southerly course.
For the past four days the cavalry had
kept up a running fight with Wheeler's and
Hampton's Legions, as they called them
selves. We had captured, while crossing a
swamp, a part of his wagon-train and nearly
all of Wheeler's headquarters teams. I have
a package of papers that I then picked up,
belonging to his Qnarterraaster.
On the morning the cavalry entered Chapel
Hill we had quite a brisk skirmish with
Wheeler's cavalry. His rear-guard gave
ground stubbornly, aud as we came in sight
of tbechurch spires of that beautiful shaded
city the enemy's rear-guard hastily with-
"Announce to Your Regiment that
Gen. Lee Has Surrendered."
drew through the town, taking a strong po
sition among the hills to the west of the
town.
Having charge of the skirmish-line that
morning, I noticed in the distance several
men dressed in citizens' clothing approach
ing with a white flag. As they came near I
halted the line and rode forward to meet
them. Dismounting, I was handed a pack
age by an old gray-headed gentleman, who
said he was the Mayor of Chapel Hill,
and these men with him were the
City Council (introducing them) ; that
they had come out to ask protection
in behalf of tho innocent women and
children of that place, and to surrender
their beautiful city into our hands, asking
our merciful protection, praying that there
be no unnecessary destruction of life or
property, as they were helpless and without
protection, altogether at our mercy. I re
plied that so long as the enemy did not at
tack, they need have no fears ; that their
prayer would be respected, but iu the event
of an attack while entering the city, the re
sult must rest with them. I had previously
sent my Orderly back to inform Col. Sander
son that a flag of truce was in our front, and
requesting that he ride forward. He very
soon came up, and Kilpatrick was with him,
to whom I handed the package. The Gen
eral received them very cordially, shaking
hands with each; opened and read the
prayer of the truce, and gave them satisfac
tory evidence that their request would be
granted; then turning to Col. Sanderson he
ordered him forward. As wo' moved in
through the town no resistance was offered,
hut as we passed by the University build
ing a few
REBEL FLAGS WERE WAVED AT UB,
which we demanded and carried away.
Tho short delay had given the enemy
time to' withdraw outside the limits
of tho town, where we found he had
- --
Uncle Sam Here, I want you horse-fellows to hurry up and leave; I can't get
any business done while you're here. D'ye understand?
taken a strong position, and as we came up
opened on us with shell. It was noon bo
fore our line3 were formed and our artillery
in position, when we opend with solid shot.
After an hour of artillery duel their guns
were silenced, when our skirmishers moved
forward into tho dense woods which ob
structed our view of their lines, but as we
advanced soon became engaged and the
racket went on, but there seemed to he some
delay. The artillery had ceased firing and
tho reserve did not come up, but wo kept
blazing away all the same, until Mnj.
Stratton, commanding battalion, ordered us
to withdraw to tho edge of tho woods, dis
mount, and wait further orders. Here wo
lay till 3 o'clock, neither side firing a gun.
Our cartridge-boxes were full. What could
it mean? Had wo taken the wrong road ?
No. Were we to advance ? No. The war
was euded; we had fired our last round, but
we did not know it.
Becoming impatient, I rode back a short
distance to get instructions from our Colonel,
whom I found at the head of tho regiment,
who were dismounted and the men stand
ing at their horses' heads. I inquired:
"What's up? Have wo runup against a
snag?" No one could account for the de
lay. Still further back I could see the bri
gade was dismounted. After two hours' de
lay the Second Brigade was ordered to fall
back and go into camp, while tho First Bri
gade was ordered to Durham Station and
the Tb d Brigade to go into camp at Mid
way. At officers' call that evening we re
ceived the first intimation that Johnston
desired an interview with Sherman, already
described.
Then followed the six days' armistice
Thus on the 17th of April, 18G5, while be
fore Chapel nill, N. C, Kilpatrick's Cavalry
Division fired their last shot in defense of
their country's cause.
On the 14th Gen. Kilpatrick received by
flag of truce a package from Gen. Johnston,
addressed to Sherman, then at Raleigh, ac
companied by a letter dated April 13, which
reads as follows :
JOHNSTON TO SHERMAN.
Tho results of the recent campaign in Virginia
have changed the relative military condition of tho
belligerents. I am thercforo induced lo address
you in this form, inquiring whether, to stop the
further effusion of blood and devastation of prop
erty, you aie willing to make a temporary suspen
sion of active operations, and to communicate with
Gen. Grant, commanding tho armies of the United
States, the request that he will lake like action
in regard to other armies, the object being to per
mit the civil authorities to enter into tho needful
arrangements lo terminate the existing war.
To which Sherman replied on the 14h as
follows :
General: I have this moment received your
communication of this date. I am fully empow
ered to arrange with you any terms for the suspen
sion of further hostilities between tho armies
commanded by you and those commanded by my
self, and will be willing to confer with you to that
end. I will limit tho advance of my main column
to-morrow to Morrisville, and tho cavalry lo tho
University, and expect that you will also maintain
the present position of your forco until cnoh lina
notice of a failure to agree. That a basis of notion
may be had, I undertake to abide by tho same
terms aud conditions as were mado by Gens. Grunt
and Lee at Appomattox Courthouse on llioOth Inst.,
relative to our two armies; and, furthermore, to
obtain from Gen. Grant an order to suspend tho
movements of any troops from tho direction of
Virginia. Gen. Stoneman is under my command,
and my order will suspend any doviulntion or de
struction contemplated by him. I will add that I
really deMre lo save the people of North Carolina
the damage they will sustain by tho march of this
army through the central or western parts of tho
State,
lam, with respect, your obedient servant,
W. T. Sherman,
Major-General.
Sherman sent the above reply by his Aid-de-Camp,
Col McCoy, up to Durham Sta
tion, with instructions to receive tho an
swer, to telegraph its contents back to him
at Raleigh, and to arrange for an interview.
On the 10th he received a reply from Gen.
Johnston, agreeing to meet him tho next day
at a point midway between our advance at
Durham Station and his rear at Hillsboro.
The next morning, entering the' cars to go
up, tho telegraph operator informed him
that ho was then receiving an imporlant
dispatch for him from Morchead City, which
he ought to see. It was from Mr. Stanton,
announcing tho
ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN,
aud the attempt on tho life of Mr. Seward and
son. Instructing the operator not to reveal
the contents of the dispatch till he returned
at night, he took the train for Durham Sta
tion, where Geu. Kilpatrick had a squadron
of cavalry drawn up to receive him. After
spending a fevr moments at his headquar
ters they mounted some led horses which
he had prepared for himself and staff, and
Gen. Kilpatrick sent a man ahead with a
white flag, followed by a platoon, behind
which they rode, followed by the balance of
the escort. -"-
They rode up the Hillsboro road about
"five miles, when their flag-bearer discovered
another coming to meet them. They met,
and passed word back that Gen. Johnston
was near at hand, when Sherman rode for
ward and met Johnston on horseback, with
Wade Hampton by his side.
They shook hands, am? introduced their
respective attendants. TJ ay had never met
before, though both had been in the Regular
Army many years. What look place be
tween Sherman and Johnston during the
afternoon, at the Burnett House, is still
fresh in the memory of the readers of The
National Tribune.
The two belligerents met for the first time
side by side, to Bolve and to end tho war as
quickly as possible.
Johnston thinking during tho night he
could procure authority to act in the name
of all the Confederate armies then in exist
ence, they agreed to meet the next day at
noon at the same place, and parted, he for
Hillsboro and Sherman for Raleigh. They
rode back to tho station in the same order
they had come. Reaching Raleigh that
night, ShermafM published tho following
orders to the army, announcing the assassin
ation of tho President; and I doubt if in
all the land there were more sincere mourn
ers over his sad fate and untimely end than
there were among Sherman's army in and
about Rale'
I remembet our Colonel that evening
called all his officers together, when the
Adjutant read lo us
SHERMAN'S SPECIAL FIELD ORDER.
The General commanding announces with pain
nnd sorrow, that on the evening of Iho 1-Hli instant,
at a theater in Washington City, his Excellency,
tho President of tho United States, Mr. Lincoln,
was assassinated by 0110 who uttered the State
motto of Virginia. At the sanio time, tho Secre
tary of State, Mr. Seward, while suffering from n
broken arm, was also stabbed by another murderer
in his own house, but still survives, and liis son
ft I
111 mm WmU
iiscgc pit
Arranging the Surrender.
was wounded, supposed fatally. It is hollovcd
by persons capable of 'judging, that other high
officers were designed to oharo tho same fate.
Thus ft sooms that our enemy, despahing of meet
ing us in open, manly warfare, begins to lcsort to
tho assassin's tools.
Your General does not wish you lo infer that
this is universal, for lie knows that tho great mass
of Iho Confederate army would scorn to sanction
such nets; but he believes it tho legitimate couso
quence of rebellion against rightful authority.
Wo linvo met every phaso which this war has
assumed, nnd must now bo prepared for it in
its last and worst shape, thai of assassins and
guerrillas; but woo unto tho peoplo who soek to
expend their wild passions in such a manner, for
thero is but 0110 dread result.
In sadness wo parted aud returned to our
tents to announce to our companies at roll
call the sad news wo had learned.
The next morning Sherman aain took
the train for Durham Station, accompanied
by most of his personal staff, nnd by Gens.
Blair, Barry and Howard. Reaching Dur
ham they mounted nnd rodo with tho same
escort of the day before to Bennett's house,
reaching thero at noon. Gen. Johnston and
Wade Hampton soon arrived, while Mr.
Breckinridge, Secretary of War of tho Con
federate States, arrived later.
TERMS OF AGREEMENT.
The following memorandum or basis of
agreement was mado April 18, 18G5, near
Durham Station, N. C, between Gen. Joseph
E.Johnston, commanding Confederate army,
and Maj.-Gen. W. T. Sherman, commanding
the army of the United States.
1. Tho contending nrmics now in tho field to
maintain tho atulu quo until notico is givon by tho
Commanding General lo nny one of it opponents,
and reasonable time say 48 hours allowed.
2. Tho Confcdcrnto armies now In existenco to
bo discharged and conducted to their several State
Capitals, thero to deposit their arms and public
property in tho Stato arsenal; nnd each officer and
man to executo nnd filo an ngreomont to cease from
acts of war and to abide tho action of the State and
Federal authority. Tho number of nrui3 and
munitions of war to be reported to tho Chiof of
Ordnnnco at Washington City, subject to the futuro
action of tho Congress of tho United Stales. In tho
meantime to bo used solely to maintain peace and
good ordor within tho borders of tho Stales re
spectively. 3. Tiie recognition, by the Executive of the United
States, of the several State Governments, on their
officers nnd Legislatures taking Iho oath prescribed
by tho Constitution of tho United Slates, and where
conflicting Stato Governments have resulted from
tho war, the legitimacy of all shall be submitted to
tho Supremo Court of tho United States.
4. Tho establishment of all the Federal courts in
the several States, with powers as defined by the
Constitution of the United States and of tho States
respectively.
0. Tho peoplo and inhabitants of all tho Stales to
bo guaranteed, so far ns the Executive can, their
political rights nnd franchises, as well ns their
rights of person and properly, ns defined by tho
United States and of the Stntos respectively.
C. Tho Executive authority of tho Government
of the United Stntos not to disturb any of tho peo
plo by reason of tho lalo war, so long ns Ihey live
in pcaco and quiet, nbstain from acts of armed hos
tilities, nnd obey tho laws in existenco aVthe placo
of their residence
7. In general terms, tho war to ccaso,
A GENERAL AMNESTY,
ho far as tho Executive of the United States can
commnnd, on condition of tho disbnndment of the
Confcdcrnto armies, the distribution of tho arms
and tho resumption of peaceful pursuits by tho
officers and men hitherto composing said armies.
Not being fully empowered by our respective
principals lo fulfill these terms, wo individually
and officially pledge ourselves to promptly obtain
tho necessary authority and to carry out tho above
program.
During the interval while the memoran
dum was being made and signed the staff
officers and escort of both Generals com
mingled together in friendly congratulations
that the war was ended.
The plain black walnut table on which
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"A White Flag in Their Front."
this document was written and signed was
afterward purchased by Capt. David Cockley,
of the 10th Ohio Cav., then Aid on Kil
patrick's staff, who had an office desk mado
from it, for which ho was offered S350, but
refused to part with it, and ho still retains
it.
These papers were conveyed to Washing
ton by Maj. Hitchcock, who got off on the
morning of the 20th.
Meantime the array remained slatu quo.
The cavalry, with headquarters at Durham
Station, extended down along the front be
low Chapel nill, a distance of 20 miles.
Tho railroad from Goldsboro to Raleigh
had been repaired, when supplies and the
mails came regularly to the latter place.
The history of the armistice, and of ils
disapproval, are parts of the political history
of those days rather than -ho military cam
paign. It is only"" .cessary to say hero that
the agreement reached Washington when
tho members of the Administration and the
leaders in Congress were under the influence
of a panic resulting from a belief that the
Confederate leaders, conscious of tho des
peration of their cause, hud organized a plot
for tho murder, not only of the President,
but all of his Cabinet and the principal
Geuerals of the army. Even Geu. Halleck,
at Washington, had sent n dispatch to Sher
man describing tho man (his name said to
be Clark) detailed to assassinate him. Sher
man replied: " He had better he in n hurry,
or ho will be too late."
No trait in Gen. Sherman's character was
more marked than his loyal subordination
to his superiors iu army rank or in the State.
Full of confidence in his own views, and
vigorous in urging them,
HE NEVER COMPLAINED
at being overruled, and instantly adapted
his military conduct to the orders he re
ceived. When at once all debate was closed
by specific direction from those' in authority,
ho did not know that Gen. Grant had been
directed to have no negotiations with Geu.
Lee except for tho military surrender of his
army, aud he overestimated the importance,
as a guard against anarchy, of having a
formal agreement of submission made in
tho name of all the Southern people.
His armistice and convention with Gen.
Johnston was subject to confirmation or re
jection. Ho had givon to his Government
the opportunity of doing either, or of taking
the negotiation into tho control of civil offi
cers and modifying it. Had President
Johnson simply said to him that tho ar
rangement was inadmissible, nnd that he
must resume the campaign unless the Con
federate General made an unconditional
surrender, ho would have obeyed not only
without protest, but without any thought
of complaint.
But instead of this, the Secretary of War
published the agreement as if he was pro
claiming a discovered treason, nnd was ap
pealing to tho country to snstain the Gov
ernment against a formidable enemy in our
own camp.
Gen. Grant was then hurried to Raleigh
to supervise Sbermnn in control of his army,
and to take away his responsibility, leaving
him only a nominal command. Even this,
perhaps, would have been taken from him
had not the same unfounded fears made the
authorities do the army the injustice of sup
posing it, too, might rebel.
Gen. Grant's practical, cool, unselfish
judgment made him turn his presence at
Raleigh into an apparent visit of congratu
lation, and to consult with Gen. Sherman,
who had promptly given the stipulated
notice of the terms of the armistice before
Gen. Grant's arrival, in the following com
munication, dated April 24 :
Gen. Joiisoton, Commanding Confederate Army:
You will take notice that the truce, or suspension
of hostilities, agreed to between us will cense in t8
hours after thi is received at your lines, under the
first nrticlo of agreement.
At the same time he inclosed the follow
ing short note:
I have replies from Washington to my communi
cation of April 18. I am instructed to limit my
operntion to your immediate command, and not to
attemp civil negotiations. I therefore
DKMAND THE SURRENDER OP YOUR ARMY
on the same tcrni3 as wero given to Gen. Lee at
Appomuttox, April 0.
These papers were shown to Gen. Grant
before they were sent, and had his approval.
At the same time orders were sent to nil
parts of the army to be ready to resume the
pursuit of the enemy on the expiration of
tho 48 hours' truce.
On the same evening Sherman received an
answer from Johnston, asking to meet him
again at Bennett's house at noon the next
day. At this date, April 2G, Sherman for
the third time went up to Durham Station
and on t to Bennett's house, where they again
met, and Johnston withouthesitationordelay
agreed to and then and there executed the
final terms of settlement which ended the
war. Sherman then returned to Raleigh,
and Gen. Grant approved aud signed the
terms.
During tho morning Kilpatrick had re
ceived instructions to renew the pursuit,
and promptly at 12 m. the bngle sounded
"assembly" through all our corps, soon
followed by "boots and saddles," when the
cavalry formed column and moved out with
a cheer while our campfires still burned.
Before tho Second and Third Brigades had
reached Durham Station the order was
countermanded, and we returned to camp
and the Second Brigade to Chapel Hill.
The terms entered into and signed by
Johnston and Sherman at this date were a3
follows:
1. All nets of war on the part of tho troops under
Gen. Johnston's command to cease from thi3 date.
2. All nrms and public property to bo deposited
at Greensboro, and delivered to an Ordnance offi
cer of the United States army.
3. Rolls of all tho officers nnd men to bo made
in duplicate; one copy to be retained by the com
mander of the troops and the other to bo given to
an officer to bo designated by Sherman. Each
officer and mnn to bo given his individual obliga
tion, in writing, not to tako up arms against tho
Government of the United Stales until properly
released from this obligation.
4. Tho sldc-nrms of officers and thoir private
horses nnd baggngo to bo retained by them.
5. This being done, nil officers and men will be
permitted to return to their homes, not to be dis
turbed by tiie United States authorities so long
as they observe their obligation and the laws in
forco where they may reside.
W. T. SnERjus-,
Major-Gcncral, commanding United States forces
in North Carolina.
J. E. JonxsTON-,
General, commanding Confedernto States forces In
North Carolina.
Approved: - U. S. Grant,
Lieutennnt-General.
PAROLING TnE REBELS.
The duty of receiving the arms of the late
Confederate army and of issuing the parols
was committed to Gen. J. M. Schofield.
These were prepared at Greensboro, near the
old battleground of Guilford Courthouse,
where, in the war of the Revolution, Gen.
Green had won laurels in an important en
gagement with Lord Cornwallis.
Shortly afterward Gen. Hardee met Gen.
Schofield and conducted him to Johnston's
Headquarters at Greensboro, where the
ordnance was turned over and parols made
aud signed. -
Gen. Wade Hampton, still unreconcilablo,
had refused to bring in his cavalry for sur
render, and these wero scattering over the
country, many making their way homo ns
best they could. Some 4,000 men, both cav
alry and infantry, had deserted from their
ranks since the beginning of the armistice,
fearing it might end in their being held as
prisoners of war.
On the third morning after tho .armistice
was signed, Gen. Kilpatrick was sent out
with his division to engage Gen. Wheeler's
command, then supposed to be about 25
miles from Greensboro. At night we camped
within a few miles of him, expecting to
attack him early the next morning. The
10th Ohio Oav., of the Second Brigade, had
the advance. We had halted about 5 o'clock
in a long strip of woods, preparatory to
going into camp ; our column was strung
along the road for miles back. The right of
the column had filed out by company on
both sides of the road, while a detail was
being made for picket. The men had dis
mounted, and were unsaddling their horses,
when we noticed quite a distance up the
road cavalry coming. By the aid of our
glasses wo discovered that they were John
nies. "Assembly," then "boots and sad
dles," were quickly sounded, nnd in a mo
ment we wero iu the saddle. One company
was thrown forward, while the regiment
formed across the road. A few men had been
sent forward as skirmishers, and as they
dashed forward noticed
(Continued on second pa-jo.)
POUT HpYAL S. G.
Capture of Rebel Forts at
Head and Eay Point.
Hilton-
PREPARING FOR ACTIOS;
The Fleet Moves to Attack tho
Forts in Two Squadrons
is.
GREAT KATAL BATTLE
Capt. Rodgers Raises the Stars
and Stripes on Sacred Soil.
BY JAMES H. HAItOLP. I.IEUTErrAT, 1st IT. ?.
EXGINEEns, DIIXELrEN-, N. J.
II.
S the reconnoitering
vessels drew nearthS
rebel batteries the
one on Hilton Head
opened on them, this
being the first limi
positive knowledge
was had of thero
being any guns tit
this point. Bay
Point batteries also
opened npon thea
By careful ob3ervai
tion it was deter
mined that the Hil
ton Head battery
contained 23 guns'.
and the battery at Eay Point 16. As a re
connoisanco was only to be made it was no4
deemed necessary to attempt to rout tha
rebels. By 9 0. m. the fleet outside of tha
bar, consisting of the Wabash, Susquehanna
Bienville, and several others, got under way
and came in. On arriving at a point nea2
J1
Landing of Capt. Eogehs.
the southeast channel they came to anchor
to await the rising of the tide. At inter
vals the rebels would try to reach the
anchored fleet with one of their rifled gnnsv
Not meeting with any success, they soon
ceased firing.
At 4 o'clock the Waba3h, followed by the
Susquehanna and several of the smaller gun
boats, started up to open the fight, but it
was decided not to attack to-night, and jusfc
a3 they were about to give the fort3 a broad
side the Wabash grounded on an unknown
shoal, and this affair at once had the effect;
of throwing out tho signals to return to
anchorage out of the enemy's range.
At 6 o'clock the ship3 were all at anchor1,
with the light-draft gunboat3 in an ad
vanced position to act as picket?. Just a3
the fleet were anchoring the Hilton Head
battery fired two g s in quick succession,
but as the ship3 paid no attention to it they
did not fire any more. This day closes with
an immense amount of work accomplished;
the channels have been buoyed and a very
heavy frigate and a
LABGE fleet put in battle array.
Wednesday, Nov. 6. Thi3 day come3 in
with n very strong breeze and quite a sweH
in the harbor, so much so that it was
thought impossible to manuver such a largo
fleet to advantage, and under the circum
bJ' WMW J J vow)
Destruction of TnE Fort.
stances the fleet lay quietly at anchor. Tha
Ericsson, E. B. Forbes, and several other
vessels arrived at the bar to-day. Several of
the smaller craft who have not come to hand
have been given up as lo3t.
Thnrsday, Nov. 7. A lovelier morning
had not dawned upon this bay in many pj
week. Tho water was a3 smooth a3 the sur4
face of a mirror, and there was scarcely
enough wind to blow the smoke from a gun!
sitbuld it be fired. At 7 a. m. breakfast?
pennants were hoisted on the war vessels
showing plainly that tho meal wa3 an houj?
in advance of the usual time. At 7:30 thero
were no less than seven rebel gunboats lit.
sight, one of which was recognized ns th
Gen. Clinch, so well known in Charleston
affairs. At 9 a. m. the signal for weighing