Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-07-09
FROM VICKsBURG.

Special to Missouri Democrat:
By the arrival Of the steamer Niagara with
Lieutenant Dunn, Of General Suilvan's stah
from Vickburg, the 4th, who is bearer Of dis
pathes from Grant TO the War Department, we
have confirmation Of the capture Of Yicksburg.
From reliable sources we have been able TO
gather the following particulars Of the closing
scenes Of the siege.
The first flag of truce for some time was sent
Jnly lst, asking for escort for two Englishmen
who have been shut up for some time in the Con-
federacy, which was granted by General Grant
The rebels made an unsuccessful sortie upon
the works on our left, meaning to take our sol
diers out Of Their rife pits this day
Johnston was reported only twenty miles or
His men we're IN line Of battle to receive an at
tack on the Sd.
Another flag Of truce came into our lines,
brought by two Confederate officers, one OF
whom proved to be Major General Bowen The
messengers we're blindfolded They renamed
aFaiting the return Of General smith, who took
the dispatches from Pemberton to Grant Ihelr
eyes we're uubandaged after an hour, and con-
Yersed freely with Union officers One messen-
ger said they had enough iron to stock immense
f0undries and build monuments 'or all citizens
and soldiers who had fallen. When smith re-
turned the messengers were again olindiolded
and conducted TO a safe point from which they
could enter their own lines.
Great curiosity was manifested by officers and
soldiers to lesrn the contents Of Pembertons
dispatches, which was finally gradhed. The reb-
ell General seen fit to intimate that unnecessary
eHusion Of blood andloss oflle might be prevent
ed by a brief cessation Of hOsulitiesi during
which commissioners might De appointed TO
agree on terms for the surrender Of the city He
also intimatcd that he could hold the city for an
indefinite period. Grants reply was very brief
saving that Pemberton had 1t IN his power at any
moment to stop blOOdshed. Commissioners
we're unnecessary, as the only supulauons ne
could accent were unconditional surrender, and
concluded, with deserved tribute to the bra
very and endurance Of the rebel garrison, and
said II they surrendered they should all be treat
ed with the courtesy due TO prisoners.
The rebel messengers had not beenl gone
long when PembertOn sent again. asking per-
sonal interview with Grants which Was.promptly
granted.
At three o'cIockin the afternoon, on the same
dsy, the conference took place about midEay
between the fronts of the contendng forces.
The scene was Witnessed BY thousands OF federal
and rebel soldiers, who for the first time in
weeks showed themselves with lmpunlty aDOFe
the rife pits, and during all these weeks tney
had been within three yards OF eacl. otneT.
General Grant came slowly to the 1, ace OF
meeting, smoking cigar and apparantly L.
only une1cited person IN the vast assemblaqe
Pemberton remarked he had been present when
different fortresses surrendered to federal arms
IN the Mexican War In thoao the enemy were
granted terms and conditions, and he thought
his army as well entitled to favors as a foreign
Zoe Grant listened, then proposed a private con
versation to which Pemberton agreed, and the
two Generals stepped aside.
What was said during the conference can only
be judged from the results. little more than
an hour after the conference and the establish
ment OF terms, the rebels surrendered.
Itwas arranged that Federal forces should en-
ter at ten O'Clock the next morning, July 4th
The rebels we're all to be paroled on the spot
officers to be allowed to reIan their horses and
four days ratiOns, 10 be taken from the rebel
stores. The prisoners 10 be liable to exchange.
The enemy, numbering from 26OOO to 5000,
by this Arrangement fell into Grants hands,
along with small arms fort defenees, &c. Cannon
were plenty and in quality equal to best in the
COnfedeTacy.
Atten O'Clock in the forenoon, on the 4th,
General Steel division marched INTO and garri-
soned the city. The bands played national airs,
and every brave heart leaped with patriot joy
at the great triumph achieved.
The flag soon waved above the buildings where
Of late only rebel ensIgus met the breeze, and
Vicksburg was in our possession once more.
Not long after formal possession had been
taken of the city Colonel MARYLAND made his en-
trance, took charge Of the Post Office and
agreed to establish Federal mail routes with the
rest Of the world.
WABHIEGTCN, July 8.
A dispatch from General Grant to General Hal
Ieck, dated at Vieksburg at half-past ten on the
morning Of the 4th of July, states that the rebels
surrendered this morning, and that their troops
were parOled as prisoners Of war.
The movements about to be made by the
forces of General Grant are detailed and they are
n