The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-07-11
Further Particulars of the Sur.
render of VickSburg.

DenlOcTdt says by the ARRIVAL OF the steamer
Majora, with Lieut.. Dunn, of Gen. Sulli-
bearer of dispatches from Gen. Grant to
the War Department, we have confima-
ton of the capitulation of Vicksburg from
a reliable source, with the following par
ticulars of the closing scenes of the siege:
The first flag of truce. that had been re
ceived for some time,w onthe LIST of July,
asking egress for two Englishmen from
the Confederacy, which was granted.
On the previous day the rebels made an
unsuccessful sortie on our works on the
left, meaning to take our rifle pits. The
same day Johnson was reported to be only
20 miles off. Our men were Immediately
put in line of battle to receive the attack.
On the Sd, another flag of truce came into
our lines, brought by two Confederate Off
GERS, one of whom proved to be Major Gen.
Bowen. The messengers were blindfolded
and remained awaiting the return of Gen.
Smith, who took dispatches from Pember-
ton to Grant. Their eyes were then I'M
bandaged, and for an hour, they conversed
freely with the Union officers. One of the
messengers said that iron enough had been
thrown into the city to stock immense
foundries, and build monuments for all the
citizens and soldiers who had fallen.
Messengers We're again blindfoled and
conducted to a safe point from which they
could enter their own lines. A great curl
osity was manifested by the officers and
soldiers to learn the contents of Pember-
tons dispatches, which was finally graft
fed. The rebel general seen fit to intimate
the unnecessary etfUsion of blood and
loss Of lives might be prevented by brief
cessation OF hostilities, during which COM
missioners might be appointed to agree on
terms for the surrender of the CITY, He
also minated that he could hold the city
for an indefinite period. Grants Yeplv
was very BRIEF saying Pemberton had it
IN his power at any moment to stop blood
shed; and commissioners were unnecessa-
ry, as the only stipulations he could accept
were unconditional surrender.
1t concluded with deserved tribute to
the bravery and endurance of the rebel
garrison, and said if they surrendered they
should all be treated with courtesy due
prisoners of war.
The rebel messengers had not been gone
long, when Pemberton sent again, asking
personal interview with Grant, which
was promptly granted. At three P. NJ. the
same day, the conference took place about
midway between the fronts of the contend
ing forces. The scene was witnessed by
thousands of the Federal and rebel soldiers.
who for the first time in several weeks.
showed themselves with impunity above
their rifle pits, and during all those weeks
they had been within five yards of each
other.
Grant came slowly to the place of rendez-
vous, smoking a cigar, and apparently the
only person not excited in the vast assem-
blage. Pemberton first remarked, he had
been present when different fortresses sur
rendered to the Federal arms in Mexican
war, in these the enemy We're granted terms
or conditions, and he thought his army as
well entitled to favors as a foreign foe
Grant listened and then proposed a private
to which Gen, Pembertor
agreed, and the two Generals stepped aside
What was said during the conference can
only be judged from results. After little
more than an hour terms were agreed unon
and rebels surrendered.
1t was arranged that the Federal forces
should enter at 10 O. clock A. M, next dav
July 4th. The rebels were all to be paroI,
ed on the spot, officers were allowed to re-
tain their horses and four days rations, to
be taken from the rebel stores. Prisoners
liable to exchange. The enemy number
ing from 10000 to 10000, by this arrang-
ment, fell into Grants hands along with
small arms, forts, defences, &c. Cannon
are plenty and quality equal to the best in
the Confederacy. At 10 A. M. on the 4tb.
ten Steele's Division marched into and
garrlsoned the city, bands playing Nation
al Airs. The flag was soon seen above the
buildings, where of late only rebel ensigns
met the breeze, and Vicksburg was in low
Al possession once more. Not long after
formal possession had been taken of the
city, Col. MARYLAND made his entrance.
and took charge of the Post office. and
agreed to establish Federal mail rontes
with the rest of the world