aimed at General Sherman. This led me
into a controversy with Mr. Stanton, not worth while to recall.

I believed then and still believe that he was under the influence
of perhaps a well-grounded fear that his life was in danger. The
atmosphere of Washington seemed to be charged with terror, caused
by the assassination of Lincoln, the wounding of Seward and the
threats against all who were conspicuous in political or military
life in the Union cause. Now, since we are fully informed of all
the surrounding circumstances connected with the surrender, and
the belief of General Sherman that he was strictly carrying out
the policy of President Lincoln, it is plain that he acted in what
he supposed was the line of duty. He did not comprehend that the
fatal crime in Washington changed the whole aspect of affairs.
His agreement with Johnston was on its face declared to be inoperative
until approved by the authorities at Washington, and, while the
political features of the surrender could not be approved, a simple
notification of disapproval would have been cheerfully acted upon
and the orders of the President would have been faithfully carried
out.

General Sherman, when he received notice of the disapproval of his
action, at once notified Johnston, and new terms were arranged in
exact accordance with those conceded by General Grant to General
Lee.

I remained in Washington until the arrival, on the 19th of May, of
General Sherman's army, which encamped by the roadside about half
way between Alexandria and the Long Bridge. I visited the general
there and found that he was still smarting under what he called
the disgrace put upon him by Stanton. I advised him to keep entirely
quiet, said the feeling had passed away and that his position was
perfectly well understood. I persuaded him to call on the President
and such members of the cabinet as he knew, and accompanied him.
He was dressed in full uniform, well worn, was bronzed and looked
the picture of health and strength. As a matter of course he
refused to call on Stanton and denounced him in unmeasured terms,
declaring that he would insult him whenever the opportunity occurred.
When he came in contact with his fellow officers and found that
they sympathized with him his anger abated, and by the time the
great review took place, he seemed to have recovered his usual
manner.

The review of General Meade's army was to occur on Tuesday, May
23, and that of General Sh