Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1863-07-30

&B A letter to the Boston Journai
gives a pleasant account of the formal
surrender of Port Hudson on the Sth:-
"The spot chosen for the ceremony was
an open area uear the flagstaff, opposite
the centre of the river batteries and very
near the bank. Along the main street,
the soldiers composing the garrison were
drawn up in line, having all their person.
al baggage, arms and equipments with
them. Gen. Gardner and staff, with a
numerous escort, occupied a position at
the right of the line. By 7 o'clock our
troops marched into the works, headed by
the brigade which had volunteered, a
thousand strong, to storm the place in the
next assault. Col. Birge of the 18th
Connecticut regiment was in command of
this storming party. 1t was fitting that
they should lead the way with the flag of
bloodless victory who had volunteered to
10 so with bayonet and sabre. Artillery
closed in with the infantry, and as the
grand cortNge swept through the broad
streets of Port Hudson, with the grand
old national airs for the first time in the
many months breaking the morning still
ness, the scene was most impressive and
soul-stirring. Never did music sound
sweeter, never did men march with lighter
step, or greater rejoicing, than our troops
as they came into the place which had
cost the lives of many of their gallant
comrades. All the sorrow for their losses
and all the joy for their present victory
came to the mind at once. But every pri-
vate bereavement was instantly forgotten
in the nations great gain, and every man
justly seemed proud to have had a part in
one of the greatest triumphs of the war.
Passing directly acrossirom the breast
works on the land side to the river bat
%teries, the column then marched by the
right flank, and afterward halted and
fronted opposite the rebel line. Gen. An
drew and staff then rode up to receive
the sword of the rebel commander. 1t
was proffered to Gen. Andrew by Gen.
Gardiner, with the brief words, Il surren-
der to you this fort, with all the garrison
and munitions of wal herein contained
Gen. Andrew made a brief reply, and at
once restored the sword to Gen. Gardiner.
The reply was made in almost a whisper,
so that hardly any one but the speaker
could have known what was said. After
this ceremony of formal surrender was
over, officers belonging to the stats of our
general were introduced to Gardiner and
staff, who at once rode out to various
points of interest in the works, and also
to inspect the troops and stores surrender
ed. The men grounded their arms, not
being able to stack them, siuce hardly
one in ten of their pieces had a bayonet
attached. They were mostly very rusty
and of old style. Quite u number of the
old Queen Bess pattern we're included
among them, having a bore half as large
again as the ordinary musket. Most of
the cartridge boxes were well filled but
the scarcity of percussion caps was uni
~versal. An officer of the garrison. in ex-
PLANTATION of this fact. remarked that this
very scarcity of percussion caps was the
reason that the men were allowed to cease
firing on the right and left for several
days il,F
"After this ceremony was over, Gen.
Weitzel was presented with q fine chestnut
stallion by a rebel officer who was formerly
his pupil at West Point. The general
had several classmates and pupils among
the officers of the garrison, and they all
seem glad to revive the days gone
by. when they enjoyed that union of
hearts and hands which a strange fanat-
icism has now severed. And not only be.
tween q few classmates, but between whole
regiments, on the day of the surrender,
there was a constant interchange of good
feeling. Perhaps they have crossed bayo.
nets for the last time, That is not GER
tain. But no fears for the future seemed
to trouble these heroes Of many battles,