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March, communicated by Stanton, were to be observed by Sherman,1 and Grant was ordered to proceed immediately to Sherman's Headquarters and direct in person operations against the enemy.
Instructions were also sent in various directions to Sherman's subordinates to disregard his orders.
Grant started before daybreak on the 22nd, and from Fort Monroe, at 3.30 P. M. the same day, he telegraphed to Halleck, who had been placed in command at Richmond: ‘The truce entered into by Sherman will be ended as soon as I can reach Raleigh.
Move Sheridan with his cavalry toward Greensboro, North Carolina, as soon as possible.
I think it will be well to send one corps of infantry also, the whole under Sheridan.’
Arriving at Raleigh on the 24th, he informed Sherman as delicately as possible of the disapproval of his memorandum, and directed him to impose upon Johnston the same terms which had already been laid down to Lee. Sherman was thoroughly subordinate, and at once notified Johnston that their arrangement had not been ratified.
‘I have replies from Washington,’ he said, ‘to my communication of April 18th.
I am instructed to limit my operations to your immediate command, and not to attempt civil negotiations.
I therefore demand the surrender of your army on the same terms as were given to General Lee at Appomattox, April 9th instant, purely and simply.’
In another
1 ‘The President directs me to say that he wishes you to have no conference with General Lee, unless it be for the capitulation of Lee's army, or on solely minor and purely military matters. He instructs me to say that you are not to decide, discuss, or confer upon any political question; such questions the President holds in his own hands, and will submit them to no military conferences or conventions.’ —Stanton to Grant, March 3d. See page 401.
New York Appleton 1885.
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