Wheeler, Joseph (1836-1906) to Joseph E. Johnston
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00688 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Joseph (1836-1906) Place Written: [Greensborough, North Carolina] Type: Letter signed Date: 18 April 1865 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20 x 12.5 cm Order a Copy
Writes that he arrived at camp and found half of his command had left during the night because they believed the entire army was to be surrendered. His men informed him they heard this from high ranking officers as well as from Union forces who said they were not to fire on the Confederate troops as Union General William T. Sherman was negotiating a surrender. Informs that he sent out officers to get the men back. Indicates that they may have to move because there is no food to forage. Comments that, "I would rather ten thousand times to have been Killed than to have had this thing to occur," and states that had he been present, he could have tried to stop the rumors. Dated 9:00 A.M. Written in pencil as Major General.
Robert E. Lee had already surrendered at the Appomattox Courthouse on 9 April 1865. The rest of the Confederate troops surrendered during April and May of 1865.
Headquarters
9 AM Apl 18/65
Genl
I am extremely mortified to state that in arriving at camp a few minutes since I found that half my command had saddled up & left during the night in detached parties. This was done I am informed by officer's under a firm conviction on the part of the men that the army was to be surrendered & the only object on their part was to save themselves from surrender. The evidence they had was the leaving of the infantry in large numbers who informed my men that their officers had told them they were to be surrendered[.] This information they [2] said came from officers as high in rank as Division Commanders[.] In addition to this a part of the 8th Texas went our & captured a picket of the enemy who told our men they had been ordered not to fire on our troops as Genl Sherman was then negotiating for the surrender of our army[.] The sincerity of my men can be appreciated by the Comdg Genl as they went off in tears. I immediately sent off officers to stop the men who had gone off.
In coming by the Company shops I ascertained that no corn could be had from Greensboro. It therefore became absolutely necessary to move a few miles with the rest [3] of my command to some point where I can procure forage. I trust to use such means as will get together most of my command again & hope to be able to make it comply with any orders you or Genl Hampton may have for me - By tonight, I understand the truce will be over, when my command may move to any point you may deem advisable - I would rather ten thousand times to have been Killed than to have had this thing to occur[.] These rumors obtained currency when my limited information would have prevented their being fully corrected, had I been present & of course it [4] could not be done in my absence - This absence as you Know simply occurred by my seeking you to gain a contradiction of these rumors - I still [illegible] to you my dear General and to my country the best services of which I am Capable and even life itself, which I have before offered a thousand times as a willing sacrifice.
Respy Genel
Yr obt Sr
Jos Wheeler
Maj Genl
Genl JE Johnston
[illegible]
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