the President attended Ford's Theater on the evening of April 14th. He was no patron of dissipation, or of amuse ments which are represented by the corrupt modern stage. He said, when hesitating about going that night, "If I do not go, the people will be disappointed." He went, and the telegrams which flew over the land told the result. Major-General Dix, New York: WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON } April 15-1:30 A. M. This evening, at about 9:30 P. M., at Ford's Theatre, the President, while sitting in his private box with Mrs. Lincoln, Miss Harris, and Major Rathburn, was shot by an assassin, who suddenly entered the box and approached behind the President. The assassin then leaped upon the stage, brandishing a large dagger or knife, and made his escape in the rear of the theatre. The pistol ball entered the back of the President's head and penetrated nearly through the head. The wound is mortal. The President has been insensible ever since it was inflicted, and is now dying. About the same hour, an assassin, whether the same or not, entered Mr. Seward's apartments, and, under pretense of having a prescription was shown to the Secretary's sick chamber. The assassin immediately rushed to the bed and inflicted two or three stabs on the throat and two on the face. It is hoped the wounds may not be mortal. My apprehension is that they will prove fatal. The nurse alarmed Mr. Frederick Seward, who was in an adjoining room, and he hastened to the door of his father's room, when he met the assassin, who inflicted upon him one or more dangerous wounds. The recovery of Frederick Seward is doubtful. It is not probable that the President will live through the night. General Grant and wife were advertised to be at the theatre last evening, but he started to Burlington at six o'clock. At a Cabinet meeting, at which General Grant was present, the subject of the state of the country and the prospect of a speedy peace were discussed. The President was very cheerful and hopeful, and spoke very kindly of General Lee and others of the Confederacy, and of the establishment of government in Virginia. All the members of the Cabinet, except Mr. Seward, are now in attendance upon the President. I have seen Mr. Seward, but he and Frederick were both unconscious. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Major-General Dix: WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, April 15. Abraham Lincoln died this morning at twenty-two minutes after seven EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. o'clock. The nation was stunned; then broken-hearted. Such SURRENDER OF GENERAL JOHNSTON. 553 demonstrations of grief have no parallel in the world's history-so manifold, profound, and general, attending the tidings even in distant lands. The funeral ceremonies on the 19th were of the most impressive character. The evidence adduced at the trial of Payne and his associate conspirators clearly proved that it was their design to murder General Grant during the evening. The dagger which Booth flourished was undoubtedly intended for him. Providence did not permit the additional crime, and General Grant was spared to his country. On learning of the assassination of President Lincoln, he returned to Washington, attended the funeral of his noble friend, and was one of the mourners who followed the remains to the Capitol. During these scenes, General Sherman had opened negotiations with General Johnston for the formal surrender of his army. But the terms, which, without the assassin's exhibition of the animus of the rebellion, would have been deemed too liberal, though undesignedly so by the brave Sherman, were rejected by the Government, in the hands of the new President, with feelings of horror and grief, awakened by the terrible tragedy. General Grant was ordered to take the field, and on April 26th followed the surrender of General Johnston to General Sherman, on the same conditions as those accorded to Lee. The transaction finely illustrated the magnanimity of General Grant's char acter, and his high opinion of the gifted hero of the Georgia. campaign. The Lieutenant-General in a few modest words, on April 26th, recounted the last great capitulation :"Johnston surrendered the forces in his command, embracing all from here to Chattahoochie, to General Sherman, on the basis agreed upon between Lee and myself for the Army of Northern Virginia." ---- The victorious leader then returned to Washington, and two days after the date of his dispatch, under his direction, was issued the subjoined order, along with another, directing the corps of the Potomac Army to march by way of Richmond to Washington for a grand review, to be followed by the disbanding of the troops. ORDER FOR REDUCING THE EXPENSES OF THE MILITARY DEPARTMENT. WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Ordered, First. That the chiefs of the respective bureaus of this department proceed immediately to reduce the expenses of their respective departments to what is absolutely necessary, in view of an immediate reduction of the forces in the field and garrisons, and the speedy termination of hostilities, and that they severally make out statements of the reductions they deem practicable. Second. That the Quartermaster-General discharge all ocean transports not required to bring home troops in remote departments. All river and inland transportation will be discharged, except that required for the necessary supplies of troops in the field. Purchases of horses, mules, wagons, and other land transportation will be stopped; also purchases of forage, except what is required for immediate consumption. All purchases for railroad construction and transportation will also be stopped. Third. That the Commissary General of Subsistence stop the purchase of supplies in his department for such as may, with what is on hand, be required for the forces in the field on the 1st of June next. Fourth. That the Chief of Ordnance stop all purchase of arms, ammunition and material therefor, and reduce the manufacturing of arms and ordnance stores in Government arsenals, as rapidly as can be done without injury to the service. Fifth. That the Chief of Engineers stop work on all field fortifications, and other works, except those for which specific appropriations have been made by Congress for completion, or that may be required for the proper protection of works in progress. Sixth. That all soldiers in hospitals, who require no further medical treatment, be honorably discharged from service, with immediate payment. All officers and enlisted men who have been prisoners of war and are now on furlough or at parole camps, and all recruits in rendezvous, except those for the regular army, will be likewise honorably discharged. Officers, whose duty it is under the regulations of the service to make out rolls and other final papers connected with the final discharge and payment of soldiers, are directed to make payment without delay, so that the order may be carried into effect immediately. Seventh. The Adjutant-General of the army will cause immediate returns to be made by all commanders in the field, garrisons, detachments and forts, of ther respective forces, with a view to their immediate reduction. Eighth. The Quartermasters of Subsistence, Ordnance, Engineers, and Provost-Marshal General's Departments, will reduce the number of clerks and employés to that absolutely required for closing the business of their GENERAL KIRBY SMITH BROUGHT TO TERMS. 555 respective Departments, and will, without delay, report to the Secretary of War the number required of each class or grade. The Surgeon-General will make a similar reduction of surgeons, nurses, and attendants in his bureau. Ninth. The chiefs of the respective bureaus will immediately cause proper returns to be made out of public property in their charge, and a statement of property in each that may be sold upon advertisement and public sale, without prejudice to the service. Tenth. That the Commissary of Prisoners will have rolls made out of the name, residence, time and place of capture, and occupation of all prisoners of war who will take the oath of allegiance to the United States, to the end that such as are disposed to become good and loyal citizens of the United States, and who are proper objects of Executive clemency, may be relieved, upon terms that the President shall deem fit and consistent with the public safety. By order of the Secretary of War. Official-THOS. M. VINCENT, A. A.-G. W. A. NICHOLS, A. A.-G On the 4th of May, 1865, General Richard Taylor, commanding the rebel forces in Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana, surrendered to Major-General Canby, and this closed the conflict east of the Mississippi river. Beyond it, Kirby Smith showed a determination to hold out to the last and prolong the war. General Grant resolved to bring him also to terms, and a powerful expedition was fitted out at Fortress Monroe, under the command of Major-General Philip Sheridan. He proceeded by way of the Mississippi river to New Orleans, but, before reaching that point, Smith had heard of the surrender of Lee, Johnston, and Taylor, and he, too, accepted the terms granted to Lee, and surrendered the forces under his command. CHAPTER XXVI. GENERAL GRANT'S MOVEMENTS AFTER THE SURRENDER. General Grant visits Burlington and Philadelphia.-A munificent Gift.-General Grant's Acceptance of it.-Returns to Washington.-Capture of Jeff. Davis.The Grand Review.-General Grant makes a Tour to New York and New England.-Goes to the British Provinces.-Incidents at Quebec.-Journey to the West.-Scenes along the Route.-At President Lincoln's Tomb.-Among his Old Friends.-General Grant's Character. MAY 2d, General Grant visited his home in Burlington, New Jersey, which had been the residence of his family since he entered upon his eastern campaign, returning to Philadelphia on the 3d, to take possession of the elegantly furnished and tasteful mansion on West Chestnut street, presented to him by the citizens. He then repaired to Washington, and was present at the grand review of our returning legions-a spectacle, in grandeur and impressive associations, never approached before on this continent. June 8th, General Grant was in New York. The Astor House was his temporary home. The Sixty-first Massachu setts, returning from the battle-field, passed the hotel, and were told that the chief those brave troops had followed was there. Then went up such a shout as never before rang over that resort of distinguished men; for strong, brave hearts, which had beat calmly in battle, were making an effort to express the fullness and intensity of their devotion to him who had led them to victory. At the Union League Rooms he was importuned again for a speech, and responded with his accustomed brevity: Gentlemen, I bid you good-night. I am much obliged to you for this reception." In August, the Lieutenant-General started on a tour to New York, Canada, and the West. At Albany, the capital of the Empire State, the excited crowd followed his very shadow. |