Pictorial history of the war for the Union, volume 2 (of 2)

by Ann S. Stephens

“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

After receiving the oath and being declared President of the United States, Mr. Johnson remarked:

“Gentlemen: I must be permitted to say that I have been almost overwhelmed by the announcement of the sad event which has so recently occurred. I feel incompetent to perform duties so important and responsible as those which have been so unexpectedly thrown upon me. As to an indication of any policy which may be pursued by me in the administration of the Government, I have to say that must be left for development as the Administration progresses. The message or declaration must be made by the acts as they transpire. The only assurance that I can now give of the future is reference to the past. The course which I have taken in the past in connection with this rebellion must be regarded as a guarantee of the future. My past public life, which has been long and laborious, has been founded, as I in good conscience believe, upon a great principle of right, which lies at the basis of all things. The best energies of my life have been spent in endeavoring to establish and perpetuate the principles of free government, and I believe that the government, in passing through its present perils, will settle down upon principles consonant with popular rights, more permanent and enduring than heretofore. I must be permitted to say, if I understand the feelings of my own heart, I have long labored to ameliorate and elevate the condition of the great mass of the American people. Toil and an honest advocacy of the great principles of free government have been my lot. The duties have been mine—the consequences are God’s. This has been the foundation of my political creed. I feel that in the end the government will triumph, and that these great principles will be permanently established. In conclusion, gentlemen, let me say that I want your encouragement and countenance. I shall ask and rely upon you and others in carrying the government through its present perils. I feel in making this request that it will be heartily responded to by you and all other patriots and lovers of the rights and interests of a free people.”

At the conclusion of the above remarks the President received the kind wishes of the friends by whom he was surrounded. A few moments were devoted to conversation. All were deeply impressed with the solemnity of the occasion.

THE CLOSE OF SHERMAN’S CAMPAIGN. SURRENDER OF GENERAL JOHNSTON.

In the latter part of March and the first days of April, 1865, the rebel army under General J. E. Johnston was encamped in the neighborhood of Smithfield, North Carolina, and was protecting Raleigh. General Sherman’s forces were at Goldsboro’, and in that vicinity. On the 6th of April the news of the Virginia victories reached General Sherman. Four days later, on the 10th inst., at daybreak, his army commenced its final advance against the enemy. Major-General H. W. Slocum took the two direct roads for Smithfield; Major-General O. O. Howard made a circuit by the right, and feigned up the Weldon road, to disconcert the enemy’s cavalry; Generals Terry and Kilpatrick moved on the west side of the Neuse river, and aimed to reach the rear of the enemy between Smithfield and Raleigh. General Schofield followed General Slocum, in support. All the columns met, within six miles of Goldsboro’, more or less cavalry, with the usual rail barricades, which were swept away as chaff; and by 10 A. M. of the 11th, the Fourteenth corps entered Smithfield, the Twentieth corps close at hand. Johnston had rapidly retreated across the Neuse river, and, having his railroad to lighten up his trains, could retreat faster than the National forces could pursue. The rains had also set in, making the resort to corduroy absolutely necessary to pass even ambulances. The enemy had burned the bridge at Smithfield, but, as soon as possible, Major-General Slocum got up his pontoons, and crossed over a division of the Fourteenth corps. News of the surrender of Lee’s army, at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, was here received, and was announced to the armies in orders, creating universal joy. “Not an officer or soldier of my armies,” says General Sherman, “but expressed a pride and satisfaction that it fell to the lot of the armies of the Potomac and James so gloriously to overwhelm and capture the entire army that had held them so long in check; and their success gave us new impulse to finish up our task.”

Marching still onward in rapid pursuit, General Sherman’s soldiers passed through Raleigh, on the 13th. Johnston was at Greensboro’, and his army was retreating from Hillsboro’, on all the roads leading to the former point.

Such was the position of affairs, when General Sherman received the first communication from his adversary, in reference to terms of capitulation. At noon, on the 17th, the two commanders met.

Says General Sherman: “Our interview was frank and soldier-like, and he gave me to understand that further war on the part of the Confederate troops was folly; that the ‘cause’ was lost, and that every life sacrificed after the surrender of Lee’s army was the highest possible crime. He admitted that the terms conceded to General Lee were magnanimous, and all he could ask; but he did want some general concessions that would enable him to allay the natural fears and anxieties of his followers, and enable him to maintain his control over them until they could be got back to the neighborhood of their homes, thereby saving the State of North Carolina the devastation which would result from turning his men loose and unprovided on the spot, and our pursuit across the State.

“He also wanted to embrace in the same general proposition the fate of all the Confederate armies that remained in existence. I never made any concession as to his own army, or assumed to deal finally and authoritatively in regard to any other; but it did seem to me that there was presented a chance for peace that might be deemed valuable to the government of the United States, and was at least worth the few days that would be consumed in reference. To push an enemy whose commander had so frankly and honestly confessed his inability to cope with me, were cowardly, and unworthy the brave men I led.”