Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-07-14
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WeaP iadsbtsd to he courtesy OF Coicsel Otld,
Commissioner Of Exchange, for files of Northern pa
pers down to the llth inst We appebd summary of
she news
LAST DAYS Oh TIE stEGE OF vioksBURG.
special to the Missouri Democrat says
By the arrival of the steamer Niagara with Lieutenant
Dunn Of General SuIivans staff from Vicksburg, 4th,
Who is the bearer of dispatches cn General Grant
the War Department have the confirmation of the
capituaton Of Sicksburg From reliable sources have
been able to get the following particulars OF the closing
scenes Of the siege Of Vicksburg:
The first flag Of truce for some time wss July lst
asking escort for two Enghshmen, who had pee i
shut W for some time in the Conederacy, which was
granted by Gen Grant On the previous day the rebels
made an unsuccessful sortie the works on our Left
meaning to take our soldiers out OF their rife pits this
Way. Johnston reported only 20 miles OIL The
men we're in-line-of-bstile 70 receive the attack.
GA the 81 another flag of truce came into our lines,
brought by Confederate officers, one OF whom was
Major General Bowen. The messengers were blindsold
ed They remained awaiting the return OF Gen. Smith,
who took the dispatches from Pemberton to Gen. Grant,
Their eyes were bandSged. After an hour they con-
versed freely with the Union officers One OF the mes
scnCsfs said iron enough had been thrown into the city
20 stock immense foundries and build monuments for
al those who bad fallen.
The messengers were again tlindloded and escorted
to safe point from which they could enter their own
officers to learn the contents OF General Pepoertons
despatch which was finally grat6ed. The rebel general
had seen fit to intimate that he unnecessary etuslon OF
blood and the loss of lives might be prevented by brief
ce saton of hosliliies, during which commissioners
might be appointed agree terms for the surrender
He also minated that he could hold the city for an in
de6aite period.
General Grants reply was very brief saying that Gen.
Pemberton had il in his hands 70 boodshed at any
moment. Commissioners were unnecessary as the only
stipualOns he could accept unconditional surren-
der IL concluded with deserved tribute to the bravery
and endurance Of the rebel garIiSo9 and said ii they
surrendered they sould be paroled with the courtesy
due 70 prisoners o.
The rebel messenger not gone long when General
Femberton sent again. asking personal interview with
Gen. Grant, which was promptly granted Al p. M,
Of the day, conference took pae about midway
between the fronts. The two generals went aside
What was said during the conference only be judged
from the results. After little more than an hour
terms were agreed upon, and the rebels surrendered
was arranged that the Federal forces should enter
at 10 a. ~ the next day, July l. TIE rebels were al
TO be paroied Tue ofhcsrS allowed TO retain their
horses and c1r DAYS rsons, 10 be TAI an from the re
bel stores and 20 be considered as prisoners liable to
exchange. The enemy, numbering from $4,000 to 80 -
OOO by this arrangement fell into Grants hands, along
with smell arms forts delences, &c. Cannon are pcn-
y aud in guilty CQud the hest IN the Contederacy
At 10 o'clock A. II. Of the Ash General Seee's diyi-
sion marched into and garrisoned the city. The lands
play Ell tie national airs OF the contendrg forces The
scene wa witnessed b. thousands OF Federal and rebel
soldiers who, fore first time in weeks, showed them
selves with mpuni above the ride pits, and during all
these weeks they had been within five yards Of each
other.
Gen. Grant came slowly to the place of rendezvous,
smoking a cigar, aud apparently the ouly unexcted
person IN the Vast aSScmbGg5.
General PembertOn first remarked that he had been
present when the different forreses surrendered to the
Federal arms in the Mexican war. In these the enemy
W. salted and conditions and he thought his
army a. as well entitled to favors foreign foe.
Goa or VI Listened and then proposed private con-
versatuD which General Pemberton agreed and the
flag Oh seen above the buildings where lately the
rs6, ,us ga met the breeze, and Vcksburg again
H. loyal posses. ion.
Not long after formal possession had been taken Of
cry, Col Aarkand made his entrance TO take charge
Of his Office and agreed to establish FederalmAi routes
with the rest ofthe world