The Portland daily press., 1863-07-10
BY TELEGRAPH
TO THU
EVENING PAPERS.
Surrender of Vicksburg-20, 900 to 10000
Prisoners Taken.


A special dispatch to the Missouri Democrat
says, by the arrival of the steamer Niagara
with Lieut. Denver of Gen. Sulivan's staff
from Vicksburg, 4th, who is the bearer of dis
patches from Gen. Grant to the War Depart
ment, we have the following particulars of the
closing scenes of the siege of Vicksburg:
The first flag of truce for some time was
July /, asking for an escort for two English
men, who had been shut up for some time in
the Confederacy, which was granted by Gen.
Grant.
On the previous day the rebels made an un-
successful sortie ON the works on orr left.
meaning to take our soldiers out OF their rifle
pits in this way.
Johnston was reported only twenty miles
off, The men were in line of battle to receive
the attack
On the Sd, another flag of truce came into
our lines brought by two confederate officers,
one of whom was Major General Bowen. The
messengers were blindfolded. They remained
awaiting the return of Gen. Smith, who took
the dispatches from Pemberton TO Gen. Grant.
One OF the messengers said that iron enough
had been thrown into the city to stock i'm
mense foundries, and build monuments for all
those who had fallen. The messengers were
again blindiolded and escorted TO safe point
from which they could enter their own lines.
Great curiosity was manifested by the officers
and soldiers to learn the contents of Gen.
Pemberton's dispatches, which was finally
gratitied. The rebel General had seen fit to
intimate that the unnecessary efiusion of blood.
and the loss of lives might be prevented by a
brief suspension of hostilities, during which
commissioners might be appointed TO agree
upon terms for the surrender He also inti-
mated that he could hold the city for an ndefi-
mite period.
Gen. Grants reply was very BRIEF saying
that Gen. Pemberton had it on his shoulders
to stop bloodshed ut any moment. Commits
sioners were unnecessary, as the only stipulations
he could accept were unconditional surrender.
1t concluded with deserved tribute TO the
bravery and endurance Of the rebel garrison,
and said il they surrendered they should be
treated with the courtesy due prisoners of war.
The rebel messenger was not gone long
when Gen. Pemberton sent again, asking a
personal interview with Gen. Grant, which
was promptly granted. At 3 p. NJ, OF the
same day conference took place about mid
way between the fronts. The two Generals
went aside. What was said during the con-
ference can only be judged from the result.
After little more than an hour terms were
agreed upon and the rebels surrendered.
1t was arranged that the Federal forces
should enter at 10 A. NJ. the next day, July 4.
The rebels were all to be paroled. The officers
were allowed to retain their horses and four
days ratons, to be taken from the rebel stores,
and to be considered as prisoners liable to be
exchanged. The enemy, numbering from
$4,000 to 10000, by this arrangement fell into
Gen. Grants hands, along with small arms.
forts, defenses, &c.
Cannon are plenty, and in quality equal to
the best in the Confederacy.
At 10 A. NJ. of the 4th, Gen. Suffers divis-
ion marched into and garrisoned the city, the
banda playing the national airs.
The scene was witnessed by thousands Of
Federal and rebel soldiers, who for the first
time in weeks showed themselves with inpu-
nifty above the rifle pits, and during all these
weeks they have been within five yards OF
each other.
Gen. Grant came slowly to the place of rem
devious, smoking a cigar, and apparently the
only unexcted person in the vast assembage.
Reports from Harrisburg Sharp Fight at
Boonsboro.
New YORK, July 0.
The Herald has the following:
Harrisburg, July sth, 0 p. M.-The reports
received here from the vicinity of Williams
port seem TO have been somewhat exaggerat-
ed, as We have no confirmation of the report
that Lees army was routed.
The wires between here and Carlisle have
been down all day, however, and very little
news has reached the city of any kind Gov.
Curtin informs me that reports have come in
that Lees headquarters were at Hagerstown
to-day.
There was rumor in circulation that our
forces are between the enemy and the river,
but the Governor thinks this rumor improba-
BILE. Lee undoubtedly has not the means of
crossing tie river, and is trying to hold his
ground until il becomes fordable. A heavy
rain continued here however, this afternoon,
and the Potomac will not be fordable for sew
eral days.
That there was fighting yesterday in the vi
cinity OF Williamsport is confirmed by persons
who arrived from that vicinity in Harrisburg
to-day, but of what extent and with what re-
suit have no means of knowing positively
There is report in circulation that General
Heintzelman is in the vicinity of Williams
port, on the Virginia side of the Potomac
This would effectually cut off Lee.
There Is another that the rebel army is short
of ammunition.
PHILADELPHIA, July 0.
The Inquirer has the following dispatch:
Frederick, Nd, July Sth.-Messeuger from
the front report sharp action, lasting nearly
all day, between the advance of Gen. Meade
and the rebels, beyond Boonsboro The re-
suit is not yet known.
Ldter.-Gen. Meade and staff went out to
the front this morning. and every available
man is being pushed forward to swell the
ranks.
The rebels attacked our cavalry this morn
ing at 5o'ciock, a short distance west Of Boons-
boro'. The rebels were in force under Gems.
Stuart and Jenkins. Our troops replied with
spirit, but fell back gradually toward Cramp-
tons Gap, which they held at a late hour in
the afternoon.
The Press says the rebels lost in all about
25,000 men at Gettysburg and about 1000 in
the retreat, and about so guns. some of which
were abandoned along the roads.