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HISTORICAL SUMMARY OF EVENTS-NO. 15,

FROM JANUARY 1ST, TO JUNE 1ST, 1865.

JANUARY.

1. Butler's Dutch Gap Canal opened. Waters rush in, but canal does not divert course of the river.-U. S. steamship San Jacinto wrecked off coast of Florida.

5. Grierson returus to Vicksburg from raid in Central Mississippi.

6. Sherman's advance crosses Savannah river. 8. Butler removed from his command. 11. Early captures Beverly, West Va. 13. Fort Fisher, N. C., bombarded.

14. The 15th and 17th Corps move by transports from Savannah to Beaufort.

15. Fort Fisher surrenders. Union loss 691.-Blair's corps occupies Pocotaligo, S. C.

16. Rebels abandon forts below Wilmington, N. C. 17. Monitor Patapsco blown up by rebel torpedo in Charleston harbor, S. C.

18. Forrest's men. raiding in Kentucky, are de feated near Columbus, Ky.

21. Rebel Congress creates office of Commanderin-Chief, to override President Davis.

24. Raid of rebel rams and steamers from Richmond down the James.

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27. The Canadian authorities surrender Bailey, who seized unarmed steamers on Lake Erie. 28. Confederate Congress (Lower House) considers bill to employ negroes as soldiers. 30. Three peace" commissioners ask admittance within Grant's lines.-Sherman's left wing, under Slocum, reaches Sister's Ferry. 31. Constitutional Amendment prohibiting slavery or involuntary servitude adopted by Federal House of Representatives.-Gen. R. E. Lee named, Commander-in-Chief of rebel armies. FEBRUARY.

1. Rebel Commissioners reach Fortress Monroe.Sherman's advance reaches Whippy Swamp. 2. President Lincoln at Fortress Monroe to confer with peace commission from Richmond.— Guerrillas dash into Medway, Ky.-Gold reported as selling at Richmond at 4000 per ct. 4. All Saints, S. C. taken possession of by Lieut. Cushing, and much cotton seized.

5. Another movement, by Grant, to the left-5th Corps advancing to Rowanty Creek, and 2d Corps to Hatcher's Run. Enemy repulsed. 6. Heavy engagements at and beyond Hatcher's Run. Enemy fails to drive back Federal advance. Loss in 2d and 5th Corps about 750 — Two blockade runners cut out of Galveston harbor by expedition under Ensign French. 7. Enemy assail 5th Corps and Gregg's cavalry, on Grant's left flank, but are repulsed.- Kilpatrick enters Blackville, S. C.

8. Kilpatrick in Branchville. S. C.-Lieut. Cushing captures Shallotte, N C.-Electoral vote for President and Vice-President counted in Congress 212 cast for Lincoin and Johnson, and 21 for McClellan and Pendleton. 10. Foster's forces move up James Island, S. C. 12. Terry and Admiral Porter drive enemy into

FEBRUARY.

their main works around Wilmington, N. C.Kilpatrick whips Wheeler's cavalry, and enters Aiken, S. C.

15. Iron Works on Water Lick creek, S. C., destroyed by Michigan cavalry.

17. Columbia, S. C. occupied by Sherman's advance. Charleston evacuated. Two rebel iron-clads blown up by the enemy.

18. Foster's forces enter Charleston, S. C., finding in its defenses about 200 guns, much ammunition, and little stores.

19. Federal forces capture Fort Anderson, N. C.Sherman's advance in Winnesboro' S. C. 20. Cox's division engage and rout enemy below Wilmington, N. C. -Repulse of rebel attack on Fort Myers, Fla.-Rebel House of Representatives pass bill to arm negroes.

21. Wilmington, N. C., evacuated by enemy, 22. Wilmington, N. C., occupied by the National forces.

23. Georgetown and Fort White, S. C., occupied by Foster's troops. Fifteen guns captured. 25. Jos. E. Johnston placed in command of combined forces operating against Sherman. 27. Sheridan commences movement up the Shenandoah Valley, en route for Lynchburg, Va.

MARCH.

1. Gen. Bailey starts from Baton Rouge, La., on raid in Mississippi.

2. Sheridan routs Early, near Staunton, Va., capturing over 1500 men, guns, etc.

3. Sherman's advance in Cheraw, S. C. Wade Hampton's cavalry severely handled.-Sheridan in Charlottesville, Va.

4. Re-inauguration of Abraham Lincoln. 6. Successful naval expedition up Rappahannock river, Va., and large contraband trade broken up.-Sheridan on James river canal, etc.

8. Sherman's advance at Laurel Hill, N. C.-Confederate Senate accepts House bill for enlist ment of negroes in rebel army. - - Bragg attacks Schofield's advance near Kinston, N. C. Federals repulsed, losing 3 guns. 9. Movement against Mobile commences.- Schofield's forces repulse Bragg and advance upon Kinston, N. C.

10. Sheridan at Columbia, Va., 50 miles west of Richmond.-Bragg, assailing Schofield's lines before Kinston, N. C., is repulsed.-Stoneman starts on raid, from Knoxville, Ten., into Virginia and North Carolina.-Severe conflict between Wade Hampton's and Kilpatrick's cavalry near Fayetteville, N. C. Hampton is, finally, severely repulsed.

11. Sherman at Fayetteville, N. C. Reports from thence to headquarters, having made immense captures and destruction of property on his march.-Sheridan at Beaver Mills, 20 miles north of Richmond, Va.-Second attack on Schofield's lines at Kinston repulsed. -Federal fleet moving up Mobile Bay.

MARCII.

12. Schofield occupies Kinston, N. C. 13. Sheridan tearing up railways north of Richmond, Va.

15. Rebel House of Representatives votes to resuspend writ of Habeas Corpus, according to Davis' suggestion.-Fight at Bradensburg, Ky.; heroic garrison repulse guerrillas. 16. Fleet expedition, under Lieut. Eastman, destroys rebel vessels in Mattox creek. Va., engaged in contraband trade.-Battle of Averysboro', N. C. Hardee assails Sherman's advance, but is repulsed.

17. Canby's forces (13th and 23d Corps) moving against Mobile-the fleet, under Farragut, cooperating.-Gen Wilson starts from Nashville, Tenn., on grand raid into Alabama, to divert rebel re-enforcements from Mobile.

18. Sheridan safely reaches White House, Va. 19. Battle of Bentonville, N. C. Sherman's left column, under Slocum, assailed by Johnston. Enemy held at bay.

20. Second day's fight at Bentonville, N. C. Johnston, outflanked, retires at night. - Steele's corps moves from Pensacola upon Mobile. 21. Goldsboro', N. C., occupied by combined forces of Sherman, Schofield and Terry. Enemy, outflanked, retire from Mt. Olive.-Wilson, raiding in Alabama, routs Roddy's cavalry at Marion and Plantersville.

22. McDougal's rebel bandits dispersed, west of Paducah, Ky. McDougal killed.

25. Sally of Gordon's division from Petersburg defenses against the 9th Corps' position. Heavy fighting on Grant's left. The 24 and 6th Corps assail and win Lee's first line of works over Hatcher's Run.-Active cavalry engagement at Mitchell's creek.Kennedy, the rebel incendiary and spy, executed at Fort Lafayette, in New York harbor. 26. Sheridan's cavalry reach City Point, Va. 27. Getty's division (6th Corps) repel assault.Sheridan goes into position on Grant's extreme left.-Canby invests Spanish Fort, Molile.— Stoneman in Boone, N. C.

28. Opening of attack on Mobile defenses. 29. Grant's army in motion; Sheridan takes possession of Dinwiddie C. H.; 2d and 5th Corps thrown over Hatcher's Run; 5th Corps fights Bushrod Johnson at passage of Gravelly Run. -National iron-clad blown up in Mobile Bay. 31. Continued heavy fighting on Grant's left, with advantage in enemy's favor.

APRIL.

1. Battle of Five Forks, Va. Sheridan, with all his cavalry and the 5th Corps, assails, and, after terrible fighting all day, carries the point-Lee's right leaving the field in great disorder. Enemy's loss about 7000. 2. General advance upon Petersburg. Terrific fighting all day. During the night Petersburg and Richmond are evacuated by the enemy. 3. Petersburg, Va., occupied at 4 A. M. Heavy captures made of men, guns, etc.-Weitzel's two divisions move into Richmond at 11 A. M. 4. President Lincoln visits Richmond, Va.-Lee flying to the west. Sheridan's cavalry on the advance in pursuit.

5. Lee's main body at Amelia C. H.-Grant's at Burkesville station. Sheridan reaches Jettersville.-Davis issues proclamation, promising success to Confederate cause, etc.

APRIL.

6. Pursuit of Lee pressed. Fight at Deatonsville. One section of Lee's army cut off and captured, i. e.: the commands of Ewell.

7. Lee assaulted by 2d Corps, at Farmville. 8. Lee concentrates at Appomattox C. H. Grant closes in around him and demands surrender. 9. SURRENDER OF LEE'S ARMY.-Canby assaults and carries Spanish Fort, Mobile Bay. Two other defenses abandoned by enemy. Fort Blakely carried by assault. Heavy capture of guns and prisoners. Evacuation of Mobile commenced that night.-Davis flies from Danville, N. C.-Wilson carrying consternation in Alabama.

11. Wilson assails and occupies Montgomery, Ala., with heavy captures of prisoners, guns &c.— Lynchburg, Va., occupied by Union forces. 12. Canby occupies Mobile, Ala.-Stoneman routs enemy at Grant's creek and occupies Saulsbury, N. C., making important captures of prisoners, artillery and military stores. 13. Sherman, advancing upon Johnston, occupies Raleigh, N.C. Johnston retires to Hillsboro'. 14. PRESIDENT LINCOLN ASSASSINATED. 15. Death of President Lincoln, at 7.22 A. M.-Andrew Johnson inaugurated as President. 16. Gen. Upton, of Wilson's command, captures Columbus,Ga.,takes many prisoners,guns, etc. 17. First interview between Sherman and Johnston, at Durham station.

18. Second interview between Sherman and Johnston. A truce agreed upon.

20. Wilson occupies Macon, Ga. 21. Sherman's truce repudiated at headquarters, and Grant dispatched with orders to force Johnston to surrender.-E. Kirby Smith proclains his ability to continue the war west of the Mississippi.

23. Davis starts from Charlotte, N. C., for the Florida Everglades.

26 Unconditional surrender of Johnston's army.The assassin of President Lincoln shot, near Bowling Green, Va.

29. Proclamation of the President, removing restrictions to internal trade.

MAY.

1. Surrender of 1100 of Morgan's old command to Gen. Hobson, at Mt. Sterling, Ky.

2. Jeff. Thompson surrenders to Capt. Mitchell, U. S. navy. Proclamation by President Johnston-offers $100,000 reward for capture of Davis, and heavy sums for others of the conspirators against the Union.

4. Surrender of Dick Taylor's command at Citronelle, Ala., to Canby.--Burial of Abraham Lincoln's remains in Springfield, Ill.

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9. Surrender of Commodore" Farrand's rebel fleet to Com. Simpson, of the West Gulf fleet. 10. Capture of Jeff. Davis at Irwinsville, Ga., by Col. Pritchard.-Surrender of General Sam. Jones' command to General Wilson.

12. Conflict at Bocca Chico, above Brazos, in Texas, between Slaughter's rebel cavalry and Col. Barrett's command. This was the last engagement of the war.

19. Jeff. Davis and others imprisoned in Fortress Monroe.

26. Surrender of E. Kirby Smith's forces, by terms agreed upon in New Orleans.

29 Amnesty Proclamation by the President of the United States.

DIVISION XV.

CHAPTER I.

LAST ACTS OF THE CONFEDERATE

EXECUTIVE.

Lee's Views.

Question by Senator Graham.-What is vour

individual opinion on the subject of peace?

"Answer. I think the best policy is to make

peace on the plan proposed by Mr. Stephens. The people and the country ought to be saved further sacrifices.

As the winter pro- | The men will fight longer if necessary, but they gressed all signs porbelieve we cannot continue the war through another tended the political and financial failure of campaign. the Confederacy, while the bill to arm 200,000 slaves was accepted, even by the Southern people, as a "last card," all efforts to procure a "settlement" being based upon Southern Independence, and the Davis Government having pronounced against any other arrangement, it only remained for the Confederate Congress to try and prolong the war through another year-if, indeed, that were possible. A committee of the Rebel Senate, appointed to enquire into the condition of the Confederacy, examined General Lee, January 24th. The following questions and answers, it was announced, were elicited:

"Question by Senator Hunter.--What is your opinion as to evacuating Richmond, and withdrawing the army to North Carolina?

"Answer.-In my opinion, it would be a bad movement. The Virginia troops would not go to North Carolina; they would go home.

66

Question.-Do you think we have troops enough for the next campaign?

"Answer.-I do not.

summer.

"Question by Senator Walker.-If peace be not made before spring, will you consent to take command of all the armies of the Confederacy, with unlimited powers?

"Answer. I will take any position to which my country assigns me and do the best I can, but I do not think I can save the cause now. No human

power can save it. Had I been assigned such a place one year ago, I think I could have made our condition better than it is now.

"Question by Senator Orr.-You think, then, General, that the best solution of our difficulties is to make peace on the Stephens plan?

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"Answer. That is the best policy now. I think the army and the people ought to be saved if all else is lust."

But, whether or not Lee then confessed We cannot last till mid- the cause irretrievably lost, he was appointed to the supreme command of all the armies by

"Question. What do you think of the policy of special act of the Confederate Congress. This arming 200,000 negroes?

"Answer. If we are to carry on the war, that is the least of evils; but in such an event the negroes must have their liberty.

“Question.—Do you think we could succeed by

putting the negroes into the field?

'Answer. That would depend on circumstances. We could at least carry on the war for another year. Question by Senator Hill.-What is the sentiment of the army in relation to peace?

44

was done to override the President, to whose
misconduct of the war all their calamities
were imputed. His appointment soon was
followed by an act calling into service 200,-
000 negroes, each recruit to be given his free-
freedom upon enlistment.
The appearance of three "
sioners" before Grant's lines, February 1st,
1865, grew out of two visits of Hon. Francis

peace

commis

"Answer. It is almost unanimous for peace. P. Blair, of Maryland-who, seeking some

The Peacemakers.

ard, ran down to the place, February 3d.
It was found that the Confederate commis-
sioners were not authorised to treat for peace
at all upon the basis named; but had a some-
what singular proposition to make, viz.: to
suspend hostilities for awhile, and, mean-
while, to join hands and fight some common
Mr. Seward wrote of this meeting:
enemy.
"The Richmond party approached the discussion
rather indirectly, and at no time did they make cat-
egorical demands, or tender formal stipulations or
absolute refusals. Nevertheless, during the confer-
ence, which lasted four hours, the several points at
issue between the Government and the insurgents
were distinctly raised and discussed fully, intelli-
gently, and in an amicable spirit. What the insur-
gent party seemed chiefly to favor was a postpone
ment of the question of separation upon which the
war is waged, and a mutual direction of the efforts
of the Government, as well as those of the insur
gents, to some extrinsic policy or scheme. for a sea-
son, during which passions might be expected to sub-

arrangement between the North and South, and armed with a note from Mr. Lincoln, in which it was said he "would receive any agent whom he (Davis) or any other influential person now resisting the National authority may informally send me, with a view of securing peace to the people of our common country"-tried, by personal influence, to induce the Davis Government to send a commission to Fortress Monroe, there to meet Mr. Lincoln or his agent in conference. The powerful pressure for peace impelled thechoice of three most eminent men-viz.: VicePresident Stevens, U. S. Ex-Senator R. M. T. Hunter, and Ex-Judge U. S. Supreme Court Campbell-who, appearing as stated, were permitted to pass the lines,* and were conveyed to Fortress Monroe, where Secretary Seward met them, and the arranged conference followed. Mr. Lincoln was not at first present; but, being summoned by Mr. Sew-side, and the armies be reduced, and trade and inter

* Considerable difficulty was experienced by the commission in passing the lines. Major Eckert, Mr. Lincoln's agent to receive the Confederates on the lines, was authorised to pass them only upon positive assurance that they came prepared to pro pose peace upon the basis named in the Blair letter, viz., a recognition of "our common country." Informed of this, the commissioners replied that they proposed to confer for peace upon terms "not inconsistent with the essential principles of self-government and popular rights." The Major replied "no" to this attempt at dodging the plain basis of the meeting; whereupon the three wrote to Grant for a pass to go to Washington, there to confer personally with Mr. Lincoln "in reference to the matter mentioned in his letter to Mr. Blair, of January 18th." Grant turned this epistle over to Eckert,

who again notified the applicants that the conference must be for peace on the basis of the Union. Informed of this refusal to concede the main or essential point of the conference, the President was on the point of recalling Major Eckert, and Mr. Seward-then at Fortress Monroe to receive the commission-when he received a dispatch from General Grant, stating that he was " convinced, upon conver sation with Messrs. Stephens and Hunter, that their intentions are good, and their desire sincere to restore peace and Union. Their letter to me was all that the President's instructions contemplated to secure their safe conduct, if they had used the same language to Major Eckert." And, thereupon, the three were passed to Fortress Monroe.

course between people of both sections be resumed. "It was suggested by them, that through such postponement we might now have immediate peace, with some not very certain prospect of an ultimate satisfactory adjustment of the present political re lations between the Government and the States,

section or people now engaged in conflict with it. The suggestion, though deliberately considered, was nevertheless regarded by the President as one of armistice or truce, and he announced that we can agree to no cessation of hostilities except on the basis of the disbandonment of the insurgent forces, and the restoration of the National authority throughout all the States in the Union."

The return to Richmond of the commission was the signal for a great "war meeting" (February 6th), at which Davis addressed the people, in the course of which he said:

"In my correspondence with Mr. Lincoln that functionary has always spoken of the United States and the Confederacy as our afflicted country;' but, in my replies, I have never failed to refer to them as separate and distinct Governments; and, sooner than we should ever be united again, I would be willing to yield up everything I have on earth, and, if it were possible, would sacrifice my life a thousand times before I would succumb."

And resolutions thereupon were passed stigmatising the terms proffered as a gross insult, etc., etc., which were spurned with indignation, etc., etc.

It would appear, however, that the rebels

Davis Dodging Responsibilities.

DAVIS' SPECIAL AND LAST MESSAGE.

473

had, according to their state- | adjustment of the present unhappy difficulties by ment to Grant, a desire for means of a military convention, and that if General peace on the basis proposed Lee desired an interview on the subject it would —of a common country. In Davis' Special Mes- not be declined, provided General Lee had authority to act. This communication was supposed to be sage of March 13th, 1864, he thus let the secret out that he was willing to accept peace, and to the consequence of the suggestion above referred negotiate for it, even to having it done in to, and General Lee, according to instructions, such a way as to get over Mr. Lincoln's scruples against any direct contact with the Confederacy as such :

"Congress will remember that in the conference above referred to, our commissioners were informed that the government of the United States would not enter into any agreement or treaty whatever with the Confederate States, nor with any single State; and the only possible mode of obtaining peace was by laying down our arms, disbanding our forces, and yielding unconditional obedience to the laws of the United States, including those passed for the confis cation of our property, and the constitutional amendment for the abolition of slavery. It will further be

wrote to General Grant on the 2d of this month, proposing to meet him for conference on the subject,

and stating that he was vested with the requisite authority. General Grant's reply stated that he had no authority to accede to the proposed conference; that his powers extended only to making a convention on the subjects purely of a military character, and that General Ord could only have meant that an interview would not be refused on any subject on which he (General Grant) had the right to act.”

The President thereupon added: "It thus appears that neither with the Confederate authorities of any State, nor through the commanding generals, will the Government

remembered that Mr. Lincoln declared that the only of the United States treat or make any terms

terms on which hostilities could cease were those stated in his message of December last, in which we were informed that in the event of our penitent submission, he would temper justice with mercy, and that the question whether we would be govern ed as dependent territories or permitted to have a representation in their Congress was one which he could promise nothing, but which would be decided by their Congress after our submission had been accepted.

or agreement whatever for the cessation of hostilities" - a slight departure from fact, which his constituents were not outspoken enough to correct. As there was a way to peace, and a conference had been appointed to consider it, the assertion that the Federal Government would not "treat or make any terms whatever for the cessation of hostilities," was, clearly, a deceptive attempt to avoid the "It has not, however, been hitherto stated to you federate Executive again repeated his oft reresponsibilities for further war; and the Con

that in the course of the conference at Fortress Monroe a suggestion was made by one of our commissioners that the objection entertained by Mr. Lincoln to treating with the government of the Confederacy or with any separate State might be avoided by substituting for the usual mode of negotiating through commissioners or other diplomatic agents, the method sometimes employed of a military convention, to be entered into by the commanding generals of the armies of the two belligerents. This, he admitted, was a power possessed by him, though it was not thought commensurate with all the questions involved. As he did not accept the suggestion when made, he was afterwards requested to reconsider his conclusion upon the subject of the su-pension of hostilities, which he had agreed to do, but said that he had maturely considered of the plan, and had determined that it could not be done.

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Subsequently, however, an interview with Gen

eral Longstreet was asked for by General Ord, commanding the enemy's Army of the James, during

which General Longstreet was informed by him that there was a possibility of arriving at a satisfactory

peated ejaculation:

"There remains, then, for us no choice, but to continue the contest to a final issue; for the people of the Confederacy can be but little known to him who supposes it possible they would ever consent to purchase, at the cost of degradation and slavery, permission to live in a country garrisoned by their own negroes, and governed by officers sent by the conqueror to rule over them."

The Confederate Congress resolved to adjourn Saturday, March 11th. The awful march of Sherman through Georgia and the Carolinas had taken the spirit out of many a legislator, who, up to the fall of Atlanta had faith in their ultimate success; but, as the winter brought only renewed and alarming disaster, even the hopeful desponded, and the Congress proposed to adjourn, leaving business in a very unsatisfactory condition. Davis was constrained to ask for delay in closing the session, and, on Monday, March

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