The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-07-15
SURRENDER CT vECKsBURG-


Of General Sullivan's staff, from Vicks-
burg. who is bearer of dispatches from
General Grant to the War Department,
we have confirmation Of the capItulatlon
of Vicksburg.
From reliable sources the following
particulars Of the closing scenes OF the
siege of Vicksburg have been obtained =
The first flag of truce received for some
time, was on the 1st of July, asking an
escort for two Englishmen who had been
shut up for some time in the Con!ederacy .
This request was granted.
On tie previous day the Rebels made
g successful sortie on our works on the
left. intending to take our soldiers out OF
the rifle pits General Johnston was re-
ported to be only twenty miles off. Oar
men were in line-of battle, ready to re-
oeive an attack.
On the Sd another flag g-of-truce came
into our lines, brought by two Rebel Off
GERS. one Of whom was Major r-General
Bowen. The messengers were blind
folded. and remained awaiting the return
of General Smith, who took the des-
patches from Peubertoo to General
Grant. After an hour had elapsed their
ewes were unbandaged.
They conversed freely with The Union
officers. One if them said that iron
enough had been thrown into the city to
stock immense foundries and build mon
uments for all who had fallen.
The messengers were again blindFolded
and escorted to a safe point, from which
they could enter their own lines.
Great curiosity was manifested by the
officers and soldiers to learn the contents
of General Pemberton's dispatches, which
was finally gratifed.
The Rebel General had seen fit to in
innate that unnecessary eduslon Of blood
and loss Of life might be prevented by the
cessation of hostilities daring which Com.
missioners might be appointed to agree
on terms Of surrender. He also intima-
mated that he could hold the city for an
indefinite period.
General Grants reply was very brief,
saying that Pembertoa lad it in his own
hands to stop bIoodshed a6 any moment,
that Com missioucrs were Duecessary,and
the only stipulatious he coaId accept were
an unconditional surrender.
He concluded 10y paying a deserved
tribute to the bravery aud endurance OF
the Rebel garrison, and said that if they
surrendered they would be treated with
all the courtesy Of prisoners OF war.
The Rebel messenger had not been
gone long when Pemberton sent again,
asking a personal interview, which Gen
eral Grant promptly acceded to. At 3
o'clock, T. NJ, on the same day, con-
ference took place, about midway between
the fronts of both armies.
The two Generals went aside, and what
they said during the conference can only
be judged from the results. After lit
tie more than an hour terms were agreed
upon and the Rebels surrendered.
1t was arranged that the Federal forces
should enter at 10 o'clock on the next
morning, and the Rebels all be paFOled,
the officers allowed to retain their horses,
and given four days ratious, TO be taken
from the Rebel stores. They were to be
considered as prisoners liable to exchange
The enemy, numbering from $4,000 to
10000, by this arrangement fell into our
hands, along with their small arms, forts,
defences, &c.
Plenty of cannon were captured an q
their quality is equal to the best IN the
COnfederacy.
At 10 o'clock on the morning of the
Fourth of July, General Stecle's Division.
marched into and garrisoned the city, the
bands playing the national airs Of the
coutending forces.
The scene was witnessed by thousands
of Federal and Rebel soldiers, many Of
Fhom for the first time in weeks had
shown themselves with impunity above
the rife- pits, although during all this
time they had been within FIVE yards OF
each other.
General Grant came to the place of
rendezvous smoking a segar, and appa-
rantIy the only uDezcited person in the
vast assemblage.
General Pemberton first remarked that
he had been present when different for
tresses had surrendered to the Federal
arms in the Mexican campaign, and in
those cases the enemy we're granted terms
and conditions. He thought his army
was as we'll entitled to such favors as a
foreign Toe.
General Grant listened to his argu
ments, and then proposed a private con
versation, to which Pemberton agreed.
The "Stars and Stripes" were soor
after seen floating above the buildings
where lately the Rebel ensign had me-
the breeze, and Vicksburg was again IL
loyal possession.