The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-07-16
These messengers were we'll dressed

lnese messengers were well dressed
in uniforms of gray, wore dashing, dev-
il-may-care Zouave caps, and had but
little gold lace upon their uniforms.
They each had the golden star on the
collar of their coats, designating their
rank.
There was great curiosity, of course,
among all the officers and soldiers to
learn the contents of Pemberton's dis
patches. This was finally gratifed.
The rebel General had seen fit to inti-
mate that the unnecessary effusion of
blood and loss of precious life might be
prevented by brief cessation of hos
tilities, during which time Commission
ers might be appointed to agree upon
proper terms for the surrender of the
city. He also intimated, as olineher,
that he could hold the place for an in
definite period.
Gen. Grants reply was very brief.
1t set forth that Pemberton had it in
his power at any moment to stop blood
shed that the commissioners were al
together unnecessary, as the only stip-
ulations he could accept were included
in the term Unconditional Surrender" !"
1t concluded with deserved tribute to
the bravery and endurance of the rebel
garrison, and said if they surrendered
he could promise that all should be
treated with the courtesy due prison
ers of war.
The rebel messengers had not long
been gone when Pemberton sent again,
asking for a personal interview with
Grant. 1t was promptly granted at 8
p. m, on the same day. The conference
took place, in fruit orchard located
about midway between the fronts of the
two centepding forces. The scene
was witnessed by thousands of Federal
and rebel soldiers, who for the first
time in weeks showed themselves with
in and above rifle pits, and
yet during all those weeks had been
within few yards Of each other. 1t
was remarkable scene Gen. Grant
came slowly to his place of rendezvous,
smoking his cigar, and apparently the
only unexcited,person in that vast as
semblage. What that General felt
within could only be imagined. His
stoical face did not reveal a clue to it.
AS Pemberton and Grant draw near
each other, both, as though involun-
tarily, paused, perhaps waiting each
the first word from the other. This
slight embarrassment was brought to
a close by Col. Montgomery, who step
ped forward and formally introduced
the chieftains. They shook hands,
Pemberton being apparently little
disconnected by the compscency of his
opponent. These men meeting thus
after the long siege in which they had
been pitied against each other, had
beer Lieutenants together in the same
command in many hard fought bat
tie in Mexico, hence were personally
known to each other. Seldom such
meetings occur outside the field of ro-
nance.
Pemberton's first remark was that he
had been present when different fort
resses surrendered to Federal arms in
the war with Mexico. In all these the
enemy were granted terms and condi-
tions. He thought his army as well
entitled to these favors as foreign foe.
Grant listened, and then proposed
private conversation of few moments.
1t struck Pemberton favorably, and the
Generals stepped aside. What was
said during that conference can only be
Judged from results. After little
more than an hour, terms were agreed
upon, and the Confederates surren-
dered.
1t was arranged that the Federal
forces should enter at 10 a. m. next
day, the 4th of July. The rebels were
all to be paroied on the spot, but
surrender arms, &c. The officers were
to be allowed to retain their horses and
four days rations, to be taken from the
Confederate stores. This was certainly
as much as General Grant could con-
sent to grant to prisoners yet liable to
exchange. 1t was policy, perhaps, not
to subsist the rebels in SO large number,
or to endeavor to transport them at
once to the North. Our work is to
pursue and punish, and not to feed and
fetch and carry the enemy.
From 10000 to 10000 prisoners, by
this arrangement, fell into Grants
hands, along with their small arms,