Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-07-18
The Way Vicksburr was Sur-
rendered.

On the Sd another flag Of truce came
into our lines. brought by two Confed-
crate officers, one of whom proved TO be
Maj. Gen. Brown, The messengers were
hlindfolded They remained awaiting
the return Of Gen. Smith, who took the
dispatches from Pomberton TO Grant
Their eyes were unbandaged after IN
hour, and they conyersed freely with the
Union officers. One messenger said
" Iron enough had been thrown into the
city TO stock an immense foundry, anI
build monun ents fer all the citizens and
soldiers who had fallen"
When Smith returned the messengers
were again blindfolied and conducted to
a safe point, from which they could Gu
ter their own lines again.
Curiosity was manifested By the Off
GERS and soldiers to learn the contents Of
Pemberton's dispatches, which was fna'-
Nv cratifed. The rebel General saw fit
to intimate that unnecessary effusion Of
blood and loss of lives might be prevent
ed bv brief cessation Of hostilities, du-
RING which Commissioners might be az
pointed for the surrender of the city.
He also intimated that he could hold
the city for an indefinite period.
Grants reply was very brief, saving
that Pemberton had 1T in his power ut
any moment to stop the bIoodshed. The
Commissioners were unnecessary, as the
only stipulation he could accept was un-
conditional surrender. 1t was concluded
with a deserved tribute to the bravery
and endurance of The rebel garrison, and
said if thew surrendered. they should al
be treated with the courtesy due prison
ers Of war.
The rebel messengers had not been
gone long, when Pemberton sent again,
asking a personal interview with Grant,
which was promptly granted.
At 3 p. ~, the same day, confer
ence took place about midway between
the fronts Of the conteudng forces. The
scene was witnessed by thousands Of fed
eral aad rebel soldiers, who for the first
time in weeks, showed themselves with
impunitv above the rifle pits, and during
MI these weeks they had been within
five wards Of each other.
Grant came slowly to the place Of rem
devious smoking q cigar, and apparently
The only unexcitel person in the vast as
sefnblage.
Pembcrton frs. remarked he had been
present when different fortresses had sur
rendered TO Federal arms in the Mexi
can war, and in these the enemy were
granted terms and conditions, and so ho
thought his army was SIS well entitled TO
favors as foreign foe.
Grant listened and then proposed a
private conversation. to which Pcmber-
ton agreed. What was said during the
conference can only be judged from the
results.
After lit,!o more :han m hour terms
were agreed upon, and the rebels sur
rena cred
It was arranged that the Felcrvl for
ces should enter at 10 O'Clock on tie
4th
The rebels were I'll to be raroci.
The prisoners are allowed 70 retain
their horses aud four DAYS rations, 70 be
taken from the rebel stores.
The prisoners are Liable TO exchange.
Tho enemy numbered from 10000 to
$4,000.
By pcmberton's arrangement there
fell into Grants hands along with the
small arms, the forts, dofenses, etc.
Cannon are plenty, and IN quality
equal to the best IN the Confaleraev.
At 10 AN. on the 4th Gen. Steele
and a division marched into and carri-
soned the CITY. the bands playing nation
ii airs The flag was soon seen above
the buildings where ef late ONLY Ike
rebel ensign met the breeze, AMI Vicks-
burg WIS in loyal possession once more.
Not long after formal possession hGl
been taken Of tie city Col. MARYLAND
made his entrance aud took char e Of
the Post office, and agreed 70 establish
Federal mail routes with the rest of the
| world.