Personal Recollections of Sherman's Campaigns in Georgia and the Carolinas

by George W Pepper

  Grant was accompanied by several Generals. The most conspicuous was the noble Sherman. He was superbly dressed, sporting a brand new hat, and seemed to be in splendid spirits, Next to Grant, Sherman is the popular idol of the war. The pictures of him, which have been scattered throughout the country, give a tolerable representation of him, except his eye. That can not be transferred to paper or metallic plates. He looks like a General. Tie is easy in his manners, converses freely, and has none of the bluntness which we would expect to find in one who has spent so much of his life in camp, and amid the stern realities of war. Religiously, Sherman is of Roman Catholic proclivities. Last Sabbath I noticed him at preaching, and he seemed very respectful and devotional. I make this note because it has been represented that he was irreverent at Divine service.

  General Howard, the one armed hero, looked as calm and pleasant as a May morning — suavity and politeness written in every line of his face. His carriage is marked with dignity, grace and gentleness, and every motion bespeaks the attitude and presence of the well-bred gentleman, Logan, the popular commander of the renowned Fifteenth Corps, was particularly noticeable. His appearance, especially when animated by battle, is exceedingly fine. He renews in fight the miracles of bravery and sang froid of the hero of Lodi and Rivosi, and his youngest soldiers have blushed at the idea of deserting a chief who hazards his own life with such invincible courage. He has been repeatedly seen spurring his horse to a gallop against the enemy's guns, and re-appearing, as if inaccessible to death, after the smoke evaporated.

  After the first instantaneous survey of Logan, your attention is particularly riveted by the forehead and eyes, and by the quick, constant, youthful play of his movements. The striking feature, however, are his eyes— dark, brilliant, finely penetrating, but without one spark of fierceness, anger, pride, or any tumultuous passions; nay, they are as sweet as they are strong, as mild as they are bright, radiant with inspiration. They are eyes which never blanched at danger, and it is the boast of his soldiers that he never looked unpityingly upon the sufferings of his followers.

  Logan has infused his own energy into his staff officers. Most of them are clever and cultivated gentlemen. The names of a few occur to me at this moment. There is Hoover, all impulse and courage; Perry, a tried and trusted soldier; Fred Whitehead, the bravest of the brave, whose heroism is unquestioned; the careless and brilliant Woodhull, the youngest Colonel in the service; the immovable Yorker, whose rich uniform and gallant air symbolize the chivalrous soldier.

  General Grant was also accompanied by General John E. Smith, an old friend and townsman. General Smith, up to the recent promotions, was the oldest Brigadier in this army. He is a marked specimen of a whole-souled gentleman, well informed, and a gallant soldier. Accessible to all, he is as kindly democratic with his soldiers as he is courtly with his equals. General Smith is an inflexible disciplinarian, and is highly praised for his military talents and activity. Among his peers he is regarded as the most modest officer in the field. In a fight he sets the example of freely exposing his person, and everywhere inspires the soldiers with his presence. In this crowd of Generals, there was also the burly and full-souled Wood— Ohio has produced no braver soldier and general — there was Eazen, his name will be forever associated with Fort McAllister — there was Clarke, genial, and slightly anxious.

  The news of Grant's victories culminating in the possession of Richmond and Lee's army, was received here with the wildest enthusiasm. It was hoped that by this time, General Joseph Johnston would have imitated Lee, and saved the further effusion of human blood. He must capitulate. . From General Sherman's order published a week ago, the troops generally believed that their next march would be homeward. The capture of Johnston and his entire army is only a question of time.

  DEATH OP LINCOLN.

  On Saturday morning, the 15th of April, at 20 minutes past ten o'clock, in the city of Washington, the noblest heart that ever beat in America — measured by the sphere of labors through which it moved— ceased to "beat. Fast and far as the electric wire dispatched the news of the death of President Lincoln his living spirit had, in its great Catholic sympathies, reached. The generous and liberal affections which warmed towards all mankind, remained serene and undimmed through every trial down to the last hour of his life. There was no other man equal and like to him, -and there could not be, because there was no other whose breast was so ample, so fervid, and so fresh. For days and weeks the streets of Washington will be silent. The beauty that shone like the hues of the morning through the vision of freedom has vanished in the night that has come upon the land.

  From every quarter of the Union, eyes will turn in the direction of that silent, solemn and desolate White House— and miss the great tower which lifted its head to the heavens, and in the midst of storm held up its lofty light of benignant influence and guidance to the contemplation of all his countrymen. By the hand of the accursed assassin, all that was perishable pf Abraham Lincoln has passed away— but his principles, like the words of the holy man, shall endure forever. These are vital and invulnerable. They will remain glowing with the spirit from which they emanated, and clad with the vesture of beauty which neither the moth, nor mildew, nor the worm, nor the cowardly traitor can consume. I say cowardly traitor, for not all the tragic machinery of the globe, not all the instruments of civil rage and domestic murder, could produce so foul a demon. The common damned will pass him by and regard themselves as fiends less foul.

  It is sad to contemplate the death of our patriot Chief at a time, when the banners of victory were waving in all the winds of heaven, and the cry of freedom was breaking from the unfettered earth; seldom has the roll of death received a purer name. The down-cast eyes, the throbbing hearts and saddened countenances of the army, tell too truthfully of the profound grief. The emotions of the whole people' are almost tangible. A sublime silence that is reverential and awe-inspiring, pervades the whole nation. It is said that the banners of Washington City drooped in the calm, balmy air. The sad solemn music had a sorrow in it that was celestial, it was hopeful, heavenly. The grand streets lined with people was an appropriate triumphal way leading to the grave of the dead patriot the people were going up to the burial for their own son. They seemed to know how he had labored for them, how he had loved them, how true, how unselfish, how brave he was. There was no terror that he did not dare for them, there was no labor that he did not endure for their sakes, there was no duty that he left unfulfilled, there was no wrong that he saw, or knew, as far as his vision reached, that he did not scorn.

  The most glorious act of his administration was the charter of universal emancipation. Millions have gazed upon it with devout joy and rapture. It has reverberated from empire to empire, from continent to continent The Laplander has heard it amid the regions of eternal snow. The European has heard it amid the fields and crowded cities of a refined and civilized population. The Arab and the Hindoo have heard it amid the gardens and spicy plains of Arabia. The African has heard it amid the burning beams of an equinoctial sun. The peasantry in Wales, in England, in Ireland, in Germany, in Asia and Egypt, have kindled with delight as they heard the Anthem of the Free. What a glorious epoch will this constitute in the annals of the republic. The President was called to a difficult and perilous position, his sway extending over a broader and than the Roman Eagle ever swept in all the magnificence of his flight, and never did any former President sanction a measure which at once put an end to so much misery, and secured so much happiness. It will be beautifully said of Lincoln as it was of Wilberforce, that he went to Heaven, bearing in his hands the broken shackles of four million slaves.

  The following orders show the dispositions made for the homeward march of the troops:

  Head-Quarters Military Division of the Miss.,

  In the Field, near Raleigh, N. C„ April 27, '65.

  Special Field Orders No. 65.

  "The general commanding announces a further suspension of hostilities, and a final agreement
with General Johnston, which terminates the war as to the armies under his command, and the country east of the Chattahoochie. Copies of the terms 6i convention will be furnished Major Generals Schofield, Gilmore and Wilson, who are specially charged with the execution of its details in the Department of North Carolina, Department of the South, and at Macon and Western Georgia. Captain Casper Myers, Ordnance Department, United States Army, is hereby designated to receive the arms, &c, at Greensboro, and any commanding officer of a post may receive the arms of any detachment, and see that they are properly stored and accounted for.

  General Schofield will procure at once the necessary blanks and supply the other army commanders, that uniformity may prevail; and great care must be taken that all the terms and stipulations on our part are fulfilled with the most scrupulous fidelity, while those imposed on our hitherto enemies, be received in a spirit becoming a brave and generous army.

  Army commanders may at once loan to the inhabitants such of the captured mules, horses, wagons and vehicles, as can be spared from immediate use, and the commanding Generals of armies may issue provisions, animals, or any public supplies that can be spared, to relieve present wants, and to encourage the inhabitants to renew their peaceful pursuits, and restore relations of friendship among our fellow-citizens and countrymen.

  Foraging will forthwith cease, and when necessity or long marches compel the taking of forage, provisions, or any kind of private property, compensation will be made on the spot, or when the disbursing officers are not provided with funds, vouchers will be given in proper form, payable at the nearest Military Department.

  By order of Major General W. T. SHERMAN.

  L. M. Dayton, A. A. G,

  Head-Quarters Military Division of

  In the Field, near Raleigh, N. C.

  April 27, 1865

  Special Field Orders No. 66.

  Hostilities having ceased, the following changes and dispositions of troops in the field will be made with as little delay as practicable. The 10th and 23d corps will remain in the Department of North Carolina, and Major General J. M. Schofield will transfer back to Major General Gilmore, commanding Department of the South, the two brigades formerly belonging to the division of Breyet Major General Grover, at Savannah. The 3d Division of the Cavalry Corps, Brevet Major General Kilpatrick commanding, is hereby transferred to the Department of North Carolina, and General Kilpatrick will report in person to Major General Schofield for orders. The cavalry command of Major General Stoneman will return to East Tennessee, and that of Brevet Major General Wilson will be conducted back to the Tennessee River, in the neighborhood of Decatur, Alabama.

  Major General Howard will conduct the Army of the Tennessee to Richmond, Virginia, following roads substantially by Louisburg, Warrentown, Lawrenceville and Petersburg, or to the right of that line. Major General Slocum will conduct the Army of Georgia to Richmond by roads to the left of the route indicated for General Howard, viz : By Oxford, Boydton and Nottoway Court-house. These armies will turn in, at this point, the contents of their ordnance trains, and use the wagons for extra forage and provisions. These columns will be conducted slowly, and in the best of order, and will aim to be at Richmond ready to resume the march by the middle of May. The Chief Quartermaster and Commissary of this military division, Generals Easton and Beokwith, after making the proper dispositions of their departments here, will proceed to Richmond, and make suitable preparations to receive these columns and to provide for their further journey.

  By order of Major General W. T. SHERMAN.

  The order to march was suddenly countermanded. Negotiations had once more been re-opened, and Sherman paid another visit to General Joseph E. Johnston. Day after day passed, and a thousand rumors were afloat. The original terms which Tecumseh had forwarded to Washington not being ratified, a new field of operations now opened up. I hear a shout in camp, followed by resounding cheers. Johnston has proposed to surrender his entire army — this is probably true.

  THE COLLAPSE OF THE REBELLION.

  So rapid and so glorious is the cause of victory for the Union, that no one who loves it can write in a temperate style. It is neither superstition or extravagance to say that Heaven has blessed the government, and scattered confusion and defeat among its enemies. A Government such as ours has always the support of the God of Heaven. The news of Johnston's surrender was received with the wildest and most enthusiastic cheerings peals of bells ushered in the morning of the 27th; salvos of cannon resounded, and the splendid bands of the different regiments played patriotic airs. We may now safely say that the unity of the nation is perpetual.

  Where are now the malignant and confident prophecies of England? That the base, powerful treason of the South could never be suppressed; that the integrity of the Nation could never again be restored; that the democracy of America would prove themselves incapable of preserving and maintaining a Republican form of Government? Where are the declarations of Bulwer, that the land of Washington was about to be divided into petty sectional sovereignties ? Bulwer writes eloquent romances, but fails as a prophet. Where is that powerful editorial in the London Times, gravely announcing that our government was only fit for fair weather, and not for the dark tempest? Where are these spiteful flings of Ramsden, Brougham, and Palmeraton, uttered amid the resounding cheers of the British Parliament.

  THE SURRENDER OF JOHNSTON.

  General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered his entire army to General Shearman on the 26th of April, at Greensboro. The terms are about the same which Grant accorded to Lee. The rebel army is being paroled, and sent to their homes. I have conversed with scores of them; they are highly delighted with the fact of the capitulation, and declare themselves heartily sick of the Davis despotism. This is glorious news, and will be everywhere hailed as the closing act of the great rebellion. When it was announced to this Corps that Johnston had finally yielded, the news was received with the wildest and most enthusiastic shouts of joy.

  The hateful vaticination has sunk back to the source from which it has issued — the foul heart of antagonism which Britain has ever had for the country which triumphed over its despotism. In the revolutionary war we shattered the minions of England to atoms, and in this war against this great rebellion, its detested forebodings we have dispelled like froth. Where then are the ten thousand ungenerous things said of us by that Christion nation? They are in the position of miserable falsehoods before the light of right and justice, and patriotism, put forward by a noble people, unsurpassed in all the departments of civic and military life. Where, too, are the boasts of the South? In the battles around Richmond, Lee's renowned army was reeled to the earth.

  The unexampled movements of the indefatigable Sherman made the rebellion shake with despair; the seizure of Selma, Montgomery and Mobile deprives them of all future resources; the evacuation of Wilmington and Charleston proclaimed that they trembled in awe of the invincible Army of the Mississippi.

  The masterly strategy of Grant places the remaining rebel country within the ponderous iron net of the United States. Where is the Confederacy? In fiction, where it ever was, with this awful difference: that where atrocious rebellion gave its fanciful establishment, there is bloodshed enough to make rivers, and desolation that centuries will weep over! Wretched South! Awfully have Heaven punished thee for thy fratricidal strife. If the war has ruined the South, it has given splendid virtue to the North, in all the features of exalted nationality.

  PEACE.

  The news of General Johnston's surrender spread like magic from camp to camp among the soldiers. Then went up shout after shout, rockets blazed through the air; guns were fired, and other things that would explode with a noise, were improvised for the occasion. All seemed happy— rather more than happy — they were elated. A few hours have transformed the entire Federal army. They came in the sense of enemies— they came, if need be, to kill and destroy. Now they are friends— friends to protect both life and property friends and brothers. They came in the grand pan
oply of war; they depart in the beautiful habiliments of Peace. How strange and how mysterious is the human! one moment maddened with rage, insane with fury, and seeking only to wreak destruction upon all around and about it; the next, gentle as a lamb, tender as the angel of sympathy itself, and seeking only the happiness of others, deriving its greatest pleasure from contributing to the pleasure of others. Yesterday a demon; today an angel. The crystal dews of heaven, as they glide from the smooth, white wings of the dove of Peace, fall sparkling, radiating, melting into the obdurate heart, expelling evil and enthroning good in its stead. These God-sent drops are now falling and fulfilling their mission, and so great, so grand, so glorious is the change, that earth seems now almost a Paradise. True, there are many a stricken heart, and many a desolate home. The dead cannot be recalled, but Time is a great soother of griefs, and though it may not entirely heal, it always softens our anguish, and we cherish, the memory of the dead with a sweetly, mournful pleas.

  They cannot come back to us, but we shall soon go to them. It is said of Wisdom that “her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace. This, then, is the day of Wisdom. The weather is pleasant— the news is pleasant— soldiers and citizens wear an air and bear themselves in a manner which plainly tells they feel pleasant. The dark hurricane of war which has swept over our land with all its blighting and destructive fury for the last four years, has died away, and in the wake of its expiring energies there breathes forth the soft lullaby of Peace, in a cadence thrilling every heart, murmuring low and sweet among our hills and mountains and lingering tunefully amid our valleys, and then rising as the sweetest of incense to the hallowed Throne of a just and merciful God.