Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-07-23
lccesdsd in blowing up the works 10 front Of thu

and succeeded in blowing up the works 10 front 81 ths
ist Mississippi
Some time between the 70.h and S0th of June sin
gular circumstance occurred night about ii O'CLOCK
after a heavy Ere. The water commsnced running up
stream and ia half hour six feet. In one place
about twenty feet o. the bluff disappeared, carrying
away one of cur river pattees The roar oil The wafer
coald be heard ike distant thunder ID this were al
earhquake-aDd it is difficult TO give any ether expsna'
ton-it must have "rolled upheededy anay so fsr as
the enemy concerned for no notice OF u has appear
ed in any Of the Yankee papers. -
We are Obliged TO omit incidents generally fNddIDS
this brilliant sorte and spkng Of the enemys guns OUT
merely remark that the STORY about Banks capturing
fifteen prisoners that occasion, and sending them
back for whom Gardner liberated like number oil
Yankee prisoners Is merely Yankee romsncsin short
lie
On Tuesday July 9Th, santes were fired from The
enemys batteries and gun5oats and loud cheering T&s
beard along the entire line, and Yankees who were
within conversng distance Of men, told them that
Vicksburg had fallen. That night aoous 10 O'Clock,
Gen. Gardner summoned council OF war, consisting OF
Gen. Beale Coils. Steadnan, Miles Lyle and Shelby aud
Lieut.. COL Marshal j. Smith, who, without exception
decided that il impossible to hold out longer
sidering that the provisions Of the garrison
hausted, the ammunition almost entirely expended, aud
large proportion OF the men sick, from exhaustion
unfit for duty. communication sent to General
Banks stating what bad been heard from the men, ask
ing for official information to the truth of the news,
dy negotiate terms of surrender. Gen. Banks
ply was received just before day, enclosing letter
from Gen. Grant announcing ths fall of NIcksburg.-
Gen. Banks asked Gen. Gardner to appoint commission.
to arrange with those his part the terms Of
render, and Uols. Miles and Steadman and Lieut.. Col
Smith we're appointed.
General Banks demanded an unconditional surren-
DER in the first instance, but finally agreed that o
GERS and soldiers should retain their private property in
which negroes not included) A demand for pa
L Ia arrIs lln Rank aaid hs.
would grant such tels with the greatest pleasure, bu
| the orders of the Secretary Of War forbid it.
The surrender was fixed to take place at o'clock
the morning OF the 9th. At o'clock the garrison
drawn up in line aud two officers Of General Gardners
staff were sent to conduct the Federal officer deputed
TO receive the surrender. This Ger Andrews who
entered the lines shortly alter O'Clock the Clinton
road General Gardner met him at the right of our line
aud delivered up his sword, observing that be surreI
dered bis sword and his garrison his provisions
were exhausted General Andrews replied that he
ceved Gen. GardueTs sword but returned it to him for
having maintained his defence so CALAMITY.
Meanwhile the enemy's infantry moved down in front
OF our lne both wings resting the river, and com
petey encircng the little garrison, IL to cut of any
| attempt to escape. About that time our informant
succeeded in passing through the lines and evadng the
enemys outposts. great many OF the garrisou-pI0.
baby several hundred had made attempt to escape
the previous night but tie guard of the enemy was so
strict that they could not pass cut.
The number OF the garrison which surrendered was
between 5000 and OOO Of whom there were net more
than 1000 effective for duty. During the siege
| about 200 had been killed and 800 wounded, besides
several deaths from sickness Among the officers killed
we're Col Pi1ley, of Arkansas, Captain Boone Of Lous
ana, and Lieuten ant Simonon, of the LIST ssisspp
besides few Others with whose names cur informant
was not familiar.
The universal feeling in the garrison is tina. General
Gardner did everything in his power to foil the enemy
and protract the siege and only succumbed to the de
| necessity. The garri:on TOO, have made noble re
cord. Even the enemy's accounts, upon which have
been entirely dependent for nearly months, bear
testimony 10 heroism unsurpassed during the war tu.
much yet remains TO be tod, and word of it but
will reflect the greatest honor upon those devoted