The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-07-17
Correspondence on the surrender Of Vicks-
burg,---0ficial!

July Sd, Gen. Pcmberton sent tho follow
ing to Gen. Grant:
have the honor to propose to you an mr..
misticc for blank hours, with tho Wow to
Arranging terms for the captulation Of Vcks
burg. TO this end, if agrccablo to you, I
will appoint thrco commissioners to meet q
like number to DO named by yourself, ut such
place and hour to-day as you may find con-
venicnt. mako this proposition to save tho
further cffuson OF blood, which must other
wise be shed to frightful extent, feeling
myself fully ablo to maintain my position for
yet indefinite period. This communication
will be handed you under o flag Of truce by
Maj. Gen. JAS. Bowen. ..
Very respectfully, your obi serv't,
(Signcd) j. @. PEMBERroN.
10 this Gen. Grant replied as follows:
Your note of this dato just received pro-
poses an armistice OF several hours for tho
purpose of arranging terms Of capitulation
through commissioners to DO appointed, &c.
The efFusion of blood which you propose
stopping by this course can DO ended ut any
timo you may choose, by an unconditional
surrender OF the city and garrison. Tho men
who havo shown so much endurance and
courage as those now in Vicksburg will oil.
ways challenge tho respect OF an adversary.
and I can assure you thoy will be treated
with the respect duo them rs prisoners Of
war. do not favor tho proposition Of up.
pointing commissioners to arrange terms OF
capitulaton, because have no other terms
than those indicated above.
l am, General, your obcdicnt servant,
G.,nk Ma; Gan
A meeting was had between Gems. Grant
and Pcmbcrton, at which Con. Grant heard
what he had to say, promising no would send
in his ultimatum in writing, to which Gen.
cral Pcmbcrton promised to reply. The fol.
lowing is Gen. Grants uitimatIm.
In conformity with the agreement Of this
afternoon will submit the following propo-
sition for the surrender Of the city OF Vicks-
burg and its public stores. On your accept.
ing tho terms proposed will march in one
division as guard to take possession ct
NJ. tomorrow. AS soon as the paroles can
DO made out and signed by tho officers and
men you will DO allowed to march out OF onr
lines, tho officers taking their resimcntal
clothing with them, and the staff and field
and cavalry officers ono horse each. The
rank and flo will DO allowed all their cloth.
ing, but no other property. IL these condi.
tions aro accepted, any amount OF rations you
may deem necessary can be taken from the
stores you now have, cooking utensils for
preparing them, and also thirty wagons,
counting two horses or mules MS one, and
you will be allowed to transport such articles
rs cannot DO carried. The same conditions
will DO allowed to oil tho sick and wounded
officers and priyates rs soon rs they become
able to travel. The paroles for these latter
must 10 signed, however, whilst tho officers
aro present to sign tho roll Of prisoners.
am, gentlemen. very respectfully, your
obcdient servant, u. IS. Grant,.
Major General.
To this Pcmbcrton replied, which closed
tho correspondence.
Head Quarters, Keksbnrg, Jniy 80
Major. Gen. Grant, commanding U. 5. Tor
ces-Gcn IL hayo tho honor to acknowledge
tho receipt OF your communication OF this
date, proposing terms for tho surrender OF this
garrison. In tho main your terms are nc.
ccpted, but in justice both to tho honor and
spirit OF my troops, manifested in tho defence
Of Vicksburg, I have the honor to submit tho
following amendments which, II acccdcd TO
by you, will perfect tho arrangements bc.
tween us at 10 tomorrow. propose TO
ovacuato tho works in and around Vicksburg,
and to surrender tho city and garrison under |
my command by marching out with my colors
and arms and stacking them in front Of my
present lines, after which you will take pos.