He remarked: "I have him where he cannot move without breaking up his army, which, once disbanded, can never again be got together; and I have destroyed the Southern railroads, so that they cannot be used again for a long time." General Grant remarked, "What is to prevent their laying the rails again ?" "Why," said General Sherman, "my bummers don't do things by halves.

Every rail, after having been placed over a hot fire, has been twisted as crooked as a ram's-horn, and they never can be used again." This was the only remark made by General Grant during the interview, as he sat smoking a short distance from the President, intent, no doubt, on his own plans, which were being brought to a successful termination.
The conversation between the President and General Sherman, about the terms of surrender to be allowed Jos.

Johnston, continued.
Sherman energetically insisted that he could command his own terms, and that Johnston would have to yield to his demands; but the President was very decided about the matter, and insisted that the surrender of Johnston's army most be obtained on any terms.
General Grant was evidently of the same way of thinking, for, although he did not join in the conversation to any extent, yet he made no objections, and I presume had made up his mind to allow the best terms himself.
He was also anxious that Johnston should not be driven into Richmond, to reenforce the rebels there, who, from behind their strong intrenchments, would have given us incalculable trouble.
Sherman, as a subordinate officer, yielded his views to those of the President, and the terms of capitulation between himself and Johnston were exactly in accordance with Mr.Lincoln's wishes.

He could not have done any thing which would have pleased the President better.
Mr.Lincoln did, in fact, arrange the (so considered) liberal terms offered General Jos.

Johnston, and, whatever may have been General Sherman's private views, I feel sure that he yielded to the wishes of the President in every respect.