The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-07-18
Correspondence between Gems. Grant
and PembertOn.

with a view to arranging terms for the
capitulation Of Vicksburg. To this end,
if agreeable, l will appoint three COM
missioners to meet like number, to be
named by yourself, at such place and
hour to-day as you may find convenient.
l make this proposition to save the fur
ther effusion of blood, which must other
wise be shed to frightful extent, feeling
myself fully able to maintain my posi-
ton yet indefinite period.
"This communication will be handed
you, under flag of truce, by Major Gen
eral James Bowen.
"Very respectfully,
"Your obedient serv't,
"JoHN c. PEMBERToN.
To this General Grant replied as fol-
Headquarters, Department of Tennessee,
In the Field near Yicksburg, July 3.
" Lieutenant General J. G. Pemberton,
Commanding Confederate Forces:
general: Your note of this date is
just received, proposing an armistice of
several hours, for the purpose of arrang-
ing terms of capitulation, through COM
missioners to be appointed, DC. The
effusion of blood you propose stopping
by this course can be ended, at any time
you choose, by the unconditional sur
render of the city and garrison. Men
who have shown so much endurance and
courage as those now in Vicksburg, will
always challenge the respect of an ad-
versary; and / can assure you will be
treated with all the respect due them as
prisoners of war.
q do not favor the proposition of ap-
pointing commissioners to arrange terms
of capitulation, because l have no other
terms than those indicated above
81 am, General, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
"U. S. GRANT, Major General"
Bowen, the bearer of Pemberton's let
ter, was received by Gen. A. j. Smith
He expressed strong desire to converse
with General Grant, and, accordingly,
Grant, while declining this, requested
Cen Smith to say that if Gen. Pember-
ton desired to see him, an interview
would be granted between the lines in
McPherson's front, at any hour in the
afternoon which Pemberton might ap-
point
A message was soon sent back to
Smith, appointing three o'clock as the
hour. Grant was there with his staff,
and Gems Ord, Mcpherson, Logan and
A. J. Smith Pemberton came late, at
tended by Gen. Bowen and Col. Mont
gomery. He was much excited, and
was impertinent in his answers to Grant.
The conversation was held apart be-
J
Grant, Mcpherson and A. j. Smith. The
rebels insisted on being parolled and
allowed to march beyond our lines hence,
officers and all, with eight days rations
drawn from their own stores, the officers
to retain their property and body SER
wants
General Grant heard what they had to
say, and left them at the end of an hour
and half, saying that he would send in
his ultimatum in writing To which
Pemberton promised to reply before
| night; hostilities to cease in the mean.
| time.
General Grant then conferred at his
| headquarters with his corps and division
commanders and sent the following let
ter to Pemberton by the hands of Gen
|
| HEADQ'R's DEPT OF TENNESSEE,
July 8, 1868.
Lieut. Gen. J. c. Pemberton, command
ing Confederate Forces at Vicksbury
GENERAL: In conformity with tn,
agreement of this afternoon 1 will sub
NIT the following proposition for the sur
render of the city of Vicksburg, public
stores, &C., on your accepting the term:
proposed. .as
| will march in one division as guarC
and take possession at A. NJ. to-mor
row. AS soon as parols can be made
out and signed by officers and men yor
will all be allowed to march out of oul
lines,- the officers taking with them thei
regimental clothing, and staff, fed anC
cavalry officers one horse each. Tn,
rank and file will be allowed all theil
clothing, but no other property. If thes'
conditions are accepted, any amount o
rations you may deem necessary can b.
taken from the stores you now have, anC
also the necessary cooking utensils fo
preparing them Thirty wagons, also
with two-horse or mule teams, you will
be allowed, to transport such articles al
cannot be carried along. The same con
ditions will be allowed to all sick ant
wounded officers and privates as fast a
they become able to travel. The parols
for these latter must be signed, however
while officers are present authorized t
sign the roll of prisoners.
am, General, very respectfully, you
obedient servant,
U. s. GRANT, Maj. Gen.
The officer who received this lette
stated that it would be impossible to an
swer it by night, as it was not till littl
before day that the proposed reply wa
furnished: -.
HEADQUARTERS, VIcKsBURc, July 8.
To MAJ. Gen. u S. Grant, command
ing T. S. Forces: @
"GENERAL--I have the honor to az
knowledge the receipt of your communi
cation of this date, proposing terms fo
the surrender of this garrison and pos
In the main, your terms are accepted
but, in justice both to the honor an