The FInal Surrender of the Civil War? Johnston v Sherman NY HIstor Soc Talks

The slated topic for discussion at the NY Historic Soc was the final surrender of the Civil War;  Gen Johnston v Gen Sherman.  The highly animated discussion on these 2 Generals part in ending the Civil War was between American historians, professors & authors John Marszalek and Craig Symonds.  Symonds is also the Chairman of the Dept of US Naval Acad.  The two men informed us of their long friendship which stemmed from their first panel discussion together on these opposing generals. The two speakers were so familiar with each other, they amicably finished the other's sentences.   Johnston & Sherman were prominent commanders & largely responsibly for ending of the War.  The 1st surrender came from Robert F Lee to Ulysses S grant on April 9th, 1865.  Pres Lincoln was assisnated less than a week after this momentous event.  And, Johnston surrendered the rest of the Confederate army to Sherman 2 weeks after Lincoln was killed.  The discussion focused on their battle strategies & their relationship with each other post-war.  Sherman received the glory of praise for his flanking stratagem through VA & GA.  Johnston was sagacious to realize should Sherman surround his flailing army it would be catastrophic.  Johnston consistently ordered his troops to fall back.  The Union army is credited with Sherman's Atlanta campaign along with his successfully cutting off the south's access to the railroads, his military planning & providing for his troops and the north's industrialization & steel production.  As both speakers agreed, "An army moves on its stomach," and Sherman was lauded for his planning & patience.  It's fascinating to know that a mutual loathing of Confederate Pres Jefferson Davis united the warring generals.  Davis was being advised by many that Johnston's military retreats were cowardly.  Confederate Gen Hood wrote to Davis criticizing Johnston.  Davis replaced Gen Johnston with Gen Hood despite his having lost a right leg & left arm in battle.  Hood's full-on attack mode resulted in serious casualties against Sherman's men and severely depleted the waning Confederate army.  Davis then took Johnston out of retirement and ordered him back to relieve Hood of his command.   Soon after being reassigned Johnston surrendered the remaining Confederate army to Gen Sherman at Greensboro, SC in April '1865.  It was during their meetings that Sherman informed Johnston of Pres Lincoln's assassination. Afterwards,  Sherman received his share of critics for ushering in "a soft peace;" thought to be overly generous.  A friendship ensued between the former rivals who met with each other's families and discussed their war strategies with each other.   At Sherman's funeral, Johnston was a pall bearer.  Johnston who refused to cover his head during the cold, rainy procession fell ill and died two weeks later.  The opposing Generals who brokered peace was a lively topic from 2 fast friends who share a keen knowledge of the Civil War.   Note:  Johnston's surrender to Sherman in April 1856 was did not preclude further skirmishes.