The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-08-21

NJ, on the ed. All the corps commanders
set their time by mine, that there should be
no difference between them in movement or
assault Promptly at the hour designated,
the three army corps then in front of the en-
emy's works commenced the assault. had
taken commanding position near McPher-
sons front, from which could see all the adj
Vanclng columns from his corps, and a part of
each OF Sherman's and Netherlands. A por-
ton OF the commands of each succeeded in
planting their flags on the outer slopes of the
enemys bastiOns, and maintained them there
until night. Each corps had many more men
than could possibly be used in the assault over
such ground as interviewed between them and
the enemy More men could only avail in case .s.s
of breaking through the enemy's line or in re-
polling sOrtie The assault was gallant in
the extreme on the part of all the troops. but
the enemy's position was too strong, both nat
urally and artificially, to be taken in that way.
At every point assaulted, and at all of them at
the force his works could cover. The assault
failed, regret to say, with much loss on our
side in killed and wounded; but without
weakening the confidence of the troops in
their ability to ultimately succeed.
No troops succeeded in entering any of the
enemy's works with the exception of Sergeant
Griffith, of the DIST regiment Iowa volunteers
Of these none returned except the sergeant and
possibly one man. The work entered by him,
from its position, could give us no practical
advantage unless others to the right and left of
it were carried and held at the same time.
About IL NJ, received a dispatch from Nc
Clernand that he was hard pressed at several
points, in reply to which l ordered him to re-
inforce the points hard pressed from such
troops as he had that were not engaged.
then rode round to Sherman and had Just
reached there, when l received second dis
patch from McClernand, stating positively
and unequivocally that he was in possession
OF and held two of the enemy's forts; that the
American flag then waved over them: and
asking me to have Sherman and Mcpherson
make diversion in his favor. This dispatch l
showed to Sherman, who Immediately ordered
a renewal of the assault on his front. also
sent an answer to McClcrnand, directing him
to order up Macarthur to his assistance, and
started immediately to the position had lust
left on McPhersOn's line to convey him the in
formation from McClernand by the last dis
patch, that he might make the diversion re-
quested. Before reaching Mcpherson met a
messenger with third dispatch from McCler-
nand, of which the following is a copy:
HEADQUARTERS 18TH ARMY CoRps,
In TnE FIELD NEAR VICKsBURG, Miss
May 90, 1863
GENERAL: We have gained the enemy's intrench-
ments at several points but are brought to stand
1 have sent word to Macarthur to reinforce me if he
can. Would it not be well to concentrate the whole
Or a part OF his command on this point?
d.. JOHN A. MOCLEkNAND,
Major General Commanding.
Major General U. s. GRANT.
+. 81 have received your dispatch. My troops
are all engaged, and cannot withdraw any to rein
force others. Nice
The position occupied by me during most
Of the time of the assault gave me better OPP
pOrtunlty OF seeing what was going on i'm
front of the 18th Army Corps than believed
it possible for the commander of it to have L
could not see his possession of forts nor ne
cesslty for achievements, as represented in
his dispatches, up to the time left it, which
was between II NJ. and p. NJ, and expressed
doubts OF their correctness, which doubts the
facts subsequently. but too late, confirmed
At the time, | could not disregard his reitera-
ted statements, for they might possibly be true;
and that no possible opportunity Of carrying
the enemy's stronghold should be allowed to
escape through fault Of mine, l ordered Quinn
bys division, which was all of McPherson's
corps then present. but four brigades, to re-
port to McClernand, and notified him of the
order. i showed his dispatches to- Mcpherson,
as had to Sherman, to satisfy him of the ne
cessity Of an active diversion on their part to
hold as much force in their fronts as was pos
sible. The diversion was promptly and vigor-
Ously made, and resulted i'll the increase of our
mortality list fully fifty per cent, without ad-
vancinS our position or giving US other advan-
tages.
About 800 P. NJ, received Netherlands
fourth Dispatch as follows:
HEADQUARTERS 18TH ARMY CoRps)
May u, 1o63.
GstERAI: have received your dispatch in regard
to General Quimby's division and Gener i Near
thurs division As soon as they arrive l will press
the enemy with all uOssble speed and doubt not
will force my way through. 1 have lost no ground.
Nur <NNftt
commanded by rifle pits in TIE rear Several pris-
oners have been takeu who intimate that the rear
is strong. At this moment am hard pressed
JOHN A. MCCLERNAND.
Major General Commanding
Major General Z. S. GfAsr, Department of he
Tennessee.
The assault of this day proved the quality
of the soldiers in this army. Without entire
success, and with heavy loss, there was no
murmuriIg or complaining, no falling back,
nor evidences decentralization.
THE SIEGE.
After the failure of the 22d, | determined
upon regular siege. The troops now being
fully awake to the necessity of this, worked
diligently and cheerfully. They progressed
rapidly and satisfactorily until the Sd Of July,
when all was about ready for final assault.
There was great scarcity of engineer Off
GERS in the beginning, but under the skillful
superintendent of Capt F. E. Prime, of the
engineer corps, Lieut.. Colonel Wilson, of my
staff, and Captain G. B. ComstOck of the en-
gineer corps, who Joined this command during
the siege, such practical experience was gain
ed as would enable any division of this army
hereafter to conduct siege with considerable
skill, in the absence of regular engineer Of
ficers.
THE CAPITULATION.
On the afternoon of the Sd of July, q letter
was received from Lieutenant General Pember
ton, commanding the Confederate forces at
Vicksburg, proposing an armistice and the ap-
pOintment Of Commissioners to arrange terms
tor the capitulatiOn of the place. The CORES
pOndence. copies of which herewith trans
init. resulted in the surrender of the city and
garrison of Vicksburg at 1 o'clock A. NJ, July
4, 1868, on the following terms: The entire
garrison, officers and men, were to be paroled,
not to take up arms against the United States
until exchanged by the proper authorities;
officers and men each to be furnished with
parole signed by myself; officers to be allowed
their side arms and private baggage, and the
field, staff and cavalry officers one horse each
the rank and file to be allowed all their cloth
ing, but no other property; rations from their
own stores sufficient to last them beyond our
lines; the necessary cooking utensils for pre-
pairing their food; and thirty wagons to trans
port such articles as could not well be
carried. These terms Regarded as more favor
able to the Government than an unconditional
surrender. 1t saved us the transportation of
them North, which at that time would have