Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-07-15
The Surrender of Vicksburg.

CATo, July D
A special dispatch to the Missouri Dam
ocrat. by the arrival of the steamer Mag
ara, with Lit. Dunn of General Sullivan 5
staff, from Vicksburg July 4th, who Is
bearer of dispatches from General Grant
to the War Department, We have contir-
nation of the capitulation of Vicksburg-
From reliable sources l have been able
to gather the following particulars OF the
closing scenes at the siege of Vicksburg ::
The first flag of truce tor some time was
the lst of July, asking an escort for two
English gentlemen who had been shut up
for some time within their lines, which
was granted by General Grant. On the
previous day the rebels made an unsuc-
cessful sortie on the works of our left,
meaning to take our soldiers out of their
rifle pits.
This day Johnston was reported only
20 miles of, and the men were IN line OF
battle to receive the attack.
On the Sd another flag of truce came
in our lines, brought by two Confederate
officers, one of whom proved to be Major
General Bowen. The messengers were
blindfolded. They remained awaiting
the return of General Smith, who took
dispatches from Pemberton to Grant
Their eyes were unbandaged after an
hour, and they conversed freely with the
Union officers. One messenger said
enough iron had been thrown into the
city to stock immense foundries and build
monuments for all the citizens and sol
diers who had fallen. When Smith re-
turned the messengers were again blind
folded and conducted to n safe point from
which they could enter their own lines.
Great curiosity was manifested by the
officers and soldiers to learn the contents
of Pemberton's dispatches, which was IL
nally gratified. The rebel general seen
fit to intimate the unnecessary effusion of
blood and loss of lives might be prevent
ed by brief cessation of hostilities, dur
ing which commissioners might be might
be appointed to agree on the terms for
the surrender of the city. He also in
timated he could hold the city for an in
definite period.
Grants reply was very brief, saying
Pemberton had it in his power at any
time to stop bloodshed Commissioners
were unnecessary, as the only stipulation
he could accept was an unconditional
surrender, and concluded with a deserved
tribute to the bravery and endurance Of
the rebel garrison, and said if they sur
rendered they should all be treated cour-
teously as prisoners of war.
The rebel messenger had not been gone
long when Pemberton sent again, asking
a personal interview with Grant, which
was promptly granted.
About 3 o'clock p. m. the same day a
conference took place midway between
the front of the contending forces. a
scene was witnessed by thousands of fed
eral and rebel soldiers, who for the first
time in weeks showed themselves with
impunity above the rifle pits, and during
all these weeks they had been within five
yards of each other.
Grant came slowly to the place of rem
devious, smoking a cigar, and apparently
the only unexcited person in the vast as
semblage.
Pemberton first remarked that he"had
been present when different fortresses
surrendered to the Federal arms in the
Mexican war. In these the enemy was
granted terms and conditions, and so he
thought his army entitled to favors as
well as foreign foe."
Grant listened, and then proposed a
private conversation, to which PembertOn
agreed, and the two Generals stepped
aside.