Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 29.djvu/296

 280 Southern Historical Society Papers.

and if no further molestation occur, we can give them our usual weekly greeting.

GREENSBORO', April 29, 1865.

Commanding Officer of Chester, S. C.

General Johnston desires you to make public the following orders :

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE, NEAR GREENSBORO', N. C.,

April 27, 1865. General Orders No. 18.

By the terms of the military convention, made on the 26th, by Major-General W. T. Sherman, United States Army, the officers and men of this army bind themselves not to take up arms against the United States, until properly relieved from their obligations, and shall receive guarantees from the United States against molestation by the United States authorities, so long as they observe that obli- gation and the law ir> enforced where they reside.

For these objects Cluster rolls will be made immediately, and after the distribution of the necessary papers the troops will march under their officers to their respective States, and then be disbanded, all retaining personal property.

The objects of this convention is pacification to the extent of the authority of the commanders who make it.

Events in Virginia, which broke every hope of our success by war, imposed on its general the duty of sparing the blood of the gallant army, and saving our country from further devastation and our people from ruin.

(Signed) J. E. JOHNSTON.

P. S. Unattached officers of army and navy, within the country of the Chattahooche, may also accept the terms of the convention.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF MISSISSIPPI, IN THE FIELD, RALEIGH, N. C.,

April 27, 1865. Special Field Order, No. 15.

The general commanding commands a further suspension of hostilities, and a final agreement with General Johnston, which termi- nates the war as to the army under his command and the country east of the Chattahooche. Copies of the terms of the convention will be furnished Major-Generals Schofield, Gilmore and Wilson,