as possible General Wilson’s operations inland, I began my return on the 2d of May.  We went into Charleston Harbor, passing the ruins of old Forts Moultrie and Sumter without landing.  We reached the city of Charleston, which was held by part of the division of General John P. Hatch, the same that we had left at Pocotaligo.  We walked the old familiar streets—­Broad, King, Meeting, etc.—­but desolation and ruin were everywhere.  The heart of the city had been burned during the bombardment, and the rebel garrison at the time of its final evacuation had fired the railroad-depots, which fire had spread, and was only subdued by our troops after they had reached the city.

I inquired for many of my old friends, but they were dead or gone, and of them all I only saw a part of the family of Mrs. Pettigru.  I doubt whether any city was ever more terribly punished than Charleston, but, as her people had for years been agitating for war and discord, and had finally inaugurated the civil war by an attack on the small and devoted garrison of Major Anderson, sent there by the General Government to defend them, the judgment of the world will be, that Charleston deserved the fate that befell her.  Resuming our voyage, we passed into Cape Fear River by its mouth at Fort Caswell and Smithville, and out by the new channel at Fort Fisher, and reached Morehead City on the 4th of May.  We found there the revenue-cutter Wayanda, on board of which were the Chief-Justice, Mr. Chase, and his daughter Nettie, now Mrs. Hoyt.  The Chief-Justice at that moment was absent on a visit to Newbern, but came back the next day.  Meantime, by means of the telegraph, I was again in correspondence with General Schofield at Raleigh.  He had made great progress in paroling the officers and men of Johnston’s army at Greensboro’, but was embarrassed by the utter confusion and anarchy that had resulted from a want of understanding on many minor points, and on the political questions that had to be met at the instant.  In order to facilitate the return to their homes of the Confederate officers and men, he had been forced to make with General Johnston the following supplemental terms, which were of course ratified and approved: 

MILITARY CONVENTION OF APRIL 26, 1865.  SUPPLEMENTAL TERMS.

1.  The field transportation to be loaned to the troops for their march to their homes, and for subsequent use in their industrial pursuits.  Artillery-horses may be used in field-transportation, if necessary.

2.  Each brigade or separate body to retain a number of arms equal to one-seventh of its effective strength, which, when the troops reach the capitals of their states, will be disposed of as the general commanding the department may direct.

3.  Private horses, and other private property of both officers and men, to be retained by them.

4.  The commanding general of the Military Division of West Mississippi, Major-General Canby, will be requested to give transportation by water, from Mobile or New Orleans, to the troops from Arkansas and Texas.