Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 18.djvu/109

 Last Days of Johnston's Army. 109

About sundown on the i6th we reached Arpsboro and halted. There the general informed us he had reliable information that John- ston had surrendered, and he had determined to send in a flag of truce to Raleigh, tendering his surrender. On the next day, having recrossed the Tar river and countermarched several miles, we started the flag, the officer in charge bearing the following letter :

"HEADQUARTERS SECOND MILITARY DISTRICT, N. C,

NASH COUNTY, N. C, April 10, 1865.

Major-General W. T. SHERMAN,

Commanding U. S. Forces, Raleigh, N. C.:

GENERAL: Finding that General Johnston has surrendered his army, of which my commands forms a part, I have the honor to sur- render the command, with a request that the same terms be allowed me as were allowed General Johnston's army. I have the honor to be,

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,.

L. S. BAKER, Brigadier- General, C. S. A"

A rumor reached us to-night, that President Lincoln had been assassinated.

About 5 o'clock P. M. on the 2Oth, our flag returned with a letter from General Sherman to General Baker, stating that General John- ston had not surrendered, but that terms had been agreed upon between them for a cessation of hostilities and the restoration of peace. Accompanying the letter was a copy of the agreement. The letter gave General Baker the right to disband his force upon the terms granted Lee's army. The general, deeming it best to accept these terms, issued the following order :

"HEADQUARTERS SECOND MILITARY DISTRICT, DEP'T N. C.

BUNN'S HOUSE, April 20, 1865.

(General Order No. 25.)

The brigadier-general commanding announces to the officers and men who have remained with him that the two grand armies of the