Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 12.djvu/108

 98 Southern Historical Society Papers.

terday that Gen'l Sherman informed me he expected his messenger to return from Washington to-day. Please answer.

J. E. Johnston, Gen'l.

Greensboro', Apl. 24th. Hon. J. C. Breckinridge, — Gen'l Johnston directs me to remain in this office to ascertain if you can decipher the telegram. You will please notify me, that I may report to him.

D. S. RvAN. Opr. for Gen'l J.

Greensboro, Apl. 25th, 11:30^^. M. Hon. J. C. Breckinridge, Sec'ty of War, — I have proposed to Gen'l Sherman military negotiations in regard to this army.

J. E. Johnston, Gen'l.

Greensboro, April 25, 10 A. M. Hon. J. C. Breckinridge, Sec. War, — Your dispatch received. We have to save the people, save the blood of the army, and save the high civil functionaries. Your plan, I think, can only do the last. We ought to prevent invasion, make terms for our troops, and give an escort of our best cavalry to the President, who ought to move without loss of a moment. Commanders believe the troops will not fight again. We think your plan impracticable. Major-General Wilson, U. S. A., has captured Macon, with Ma- jor-Generals Cobb and G. W. Smith, Brigadiers Mackall, Mercer, and the garrison. Federal papers announce capture of Mobile, with three thousand prisoners.

J. E. Johnston, Gen'l.

[Cypher.] Charlotte, N. C, April 24, 1865, \\ P. M. Gen'l J. E. Johnston, Greensboro, N. C, — Does not your sug- gestion about disbanding refer to the infantry and most of the artil- lery? If it be necessary to disband these, they might still save their small arms and find their way to some appointed rendezvous. Can you not bring off the cavalry, and all the men you can mount from the transportation and other animals, with some light field pieces ? Such a force could march away from Sherman, and be strong enough to encounter anything between us and the southwest. If this course be possible, carry it out, and telegraph your intended route.

John C. Breckinridge,

Sec. of War.