Major-General William T. Sherman	General Joseph E. Johnston
IN THE FIELD APRIL 25, 1865 MAJOR GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN COMMANDING U. S. FORCES GENERAL. I have the honor to have received your dispatch of yesterday summoning this army to surrender on the terms accepted by Gen. Lee at Appomattox Court house. I propose, instead of such surrender, terms based on those drawn up by you on the 18th for disbanding this army-and a further armistice & conference to arrange these terms. The disbanding of Gen. Lee's army has afflicted this country with numerous bands having no means of subsistence but robbery, a knowledge of which would, I am sure, induce you to agree to other conditions. Most respectfully Your obt. servt. J. E. JOHNSTON GENERAL, C. S. A.