The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1863-07-11
The Fall of Vfcksburg.

wds the surrender of Vicksburg on the
Sd of July. Our readers have with VI
patiently followed Gen. Grant in all his
movements 70 capture that stronghold
commenced as much as eight months
ago. His overland attempt by the way o.
Grenada, Jackson, &c, and its failure, the
absurd dash of Sherman and severe re
pulse: the long, patient process Of canal
digging &C. until finally by his brilliant
march from Grand Gulf, Gen. Grant &C.
complished III week what had cost him
so much labor for months before-he
gained firm Judgment in the rear OF
| Vicksburg. The surrender then became
| ONLY question of time; and without ex
| travacantlv wasting the lives of his men
! Gen. Grant concluded patiently to bide
that time, until it came with the nations
great holiday.
The way of it is thus described by the
correspondent of the Chicago Times:
At about A. NJ. of July 3d. flag OF
truce was seen upon the rebel breastworks
An officer was sent TO receive it. All
| firing ceased, and thousands of men
thronged the parapets to see the foe with
whom they had contended for AZ DAYS,
each concealed from the other. The men
on both sides gazed with wonderment--
No arms were visible. only men, and the
| earthworks were alive. In some salients
| where we thought there might be 20 there
seemed 100. All looked like men who
labor in mills or lime Iuar.ies. Slouched
hats, shirts and pants were the uniform.
But little was said, though in some places
the men were not more than ten or fifteen
feet apart.
The bearers Of dispatches to our generals
were fine looking men, Of martial bearing
and brave mien, Dad in grey. close fitting
uniform and French caps, mounted on fine
but thin horses. They were conducted,
blindfo!ded, to the tent of Gen. A Smith,
whose front they had entered. He escort
ed them to the tent of Gen Stephen Bur-
bridge, to remain until his return from the
quarters of Gen. Grant, five miles away
They conversed Of old times more than
of the present Their names were Gen
Bowen, Of Fort Gibson memory, and Col
Montgomery of Virginia.
After taking glass of wine, Gen. Bow
en- remarked that his bandage was uu>
cOMlOrtaDle- as IL was very warm. zen.
Burbridge had it Embossed.
After more than An hours conversation
their answer came, and they were again
blindfolded and retusned to their own
works.
Still the men sat in silence Not gun
was fred in that part of the works. All
wondered what it meant.
The purport of the rebel message was
this:
GIN GRANr-To prevent the further
etfusion of blood and loss of life, | pro.
pose that hostilities cease for-hours,
and that you appoint three commissioners
and three, to confer upon conditions of
surrender, though can hold out indeii~
nitely."
To which Gen Grant replied:
AS to your first proposition, it is for
you to avoid at any time AS to the second,
| see no necessity for that, as there can be
no conditions Of surrender. We can all
bear testimony to your endurance and
bravery, and will treat you with all the re.
spect due prisoners of war"
Gen. Pemberton then solicited person
al interview which was granted by Gen
Grant
At P. NJ. the latter, with his staff, APP
peared on the hills where our advance
works were. Here the party halted I'M
til Gen. Pemberton appeared, accompanied
by Gen Bowen and Col. Montgomery. On
the crests of the opposite hills were rifle
pits and forts crowded with men In the
space between, in grove of fruit trees,
tiss and peaches, met the contending
heroes Thousands of soldiers looked
upon the strange scene
Two men who had been lieutenants in
q
foes, with all the world looking upon them
the one his countrys glory, the other his
countrys shame
When they had approached within
few feet, there was halt and silence
Col. Montgomery spoke: "Gen. Grant,
Gen Pemberton.' They shook hands
politely.
1t was evident that Pemberton was
mortified. He said: " was at Monterey
and Buena Vista We had terms and
conditions there" Gen. Grant here took
him aside, and they sat down on the grass.
and talked more than an hour. Grant
smoked all the time. Pembe,ton PLAYED
with the grass and pulled leaves
1t was finally agreed to parole them
there, allowing the officers each his horse.
1t was polite thing. The dread of going
North and the fear of harsh treatment
had deferred them from captivating soon
er. Grant proved his magnanimity and
saved thousands upon thousands of dol>
lars in the way of transportation and ra
tons.
They feared the 4th of July. Our men
would call out at night that the 4th would
finish them. 1t was SO arranged. By this
we haved save thousands of lives
Both armies are gratiicd with the re-
suit. Our men treat the rebels with
kindness, giving them coffee, which some
have not tasted for year.
The city is much dilapidated Many
houses are in ured.
The Nicksburg paper Of Jnly I'd, admits
the eating of mule meat, and the pilfering
of soldiers in private houses
There seems to be much suffering there
from sickness and our missiles
EuEoPE.-The latest news from Europe,
by the China, Is interesting. Mcrchan-
disc, destined for Mexican ports in the
actual occupation of the French, is to be
q fnI ha 1T I,lT .l,,f,