Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-07-16
The Surrender of Vicksburg.

''Snoo"' Soi'SSpouuCuSS Va snS w
cago Tribune:
On Friday morning. July Sd, flag
Of truce came into our lines, reaching
the first tent of Gen. A. j. Smith. 1t
was brought by two Confederate Off.
Gers, dressed in most festive attire.
They proved to be Maj. Gen. Bowen,
late Commander ct Grand Gulf, and a
Virginia Colonel named Montgomery.
They rode splendid animals, but rath-
er thin 10 flesh, even for racers.
The messengers were blindfolded
and seated in Gen. Bprbridge's tent,
where for two hours they remained,
awaiting the return of Gen. Smith,
who took their dispatches to General
Grant. Their eyes were unbandaged
after one, hour, aud they conversed
freely with the Union officers. E.
One Of the messengers said that
iron had been thrown into the
city in sufficient quantities 10 stock an
immense foundry and have enough left
to build monuments for all the citizens
and soldiers fallen.
When Gen. Smith returned to Bur.
bridges tent, the two Confederate Off
GERS received Grants response, and
were then by our officers conducted to
safe point, from which they could re-
enter their ownfines. 'a
These messengers were we'll Dress
ed in uniforms Of gray, wore dasbing,
devil-may-care Zouave caps, and had
but little gold lace upon their uni.
forms. They each had the golden
star ON the collors Of their coats, desig.
1 mating their rank. e9
| There was great curiosity, ofcourse,
among all the officers and soldiers to
| learn the contents of Pcmberton's dis
patches This was finally gratified.
The rebel General had seen fit to inti-
mate that the unnecessary effnsion of
blood aud loss of precious life might
be prevented by a brief cessation Of
hostilities, during which time Com
missioners might be appointed to
agree upon proper terms for the SUR
render of the city. He also intima-
ted, as clincher, that he could hold
the place for an indefinite 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
altogether unnecessary, as the only
stipulations he could accept were in
cluded in the term Unconditional sur
render" 1t conclnccd with deserv-
ed tribute to the bravery and endur-
ance of the rebel garrison, and said
If they surrendered he could prom
Use that all should be treated with the
courtesy due prisoners of war.
The rebel messengers had not long
been gone when Pemberton sent again,
asking for personal interview with
Grant. 1t was promptly granted at
3 p. NJ, on the same day that the
conference took place. in fruit or
chard located about midway between
the fronts of the two contending for
ces. The scene was witnessed by
thousands of Federal and rebel SOL
diers, who for the first time in weeks
showed themselves with impunity in
and above rife pits, and yet during
all those weeks they had been within |
few yards Of each other. 1t was "a
remarkable scene. Gen. Grant came
slowly to his place Of rendezvous, smo-
king his cigar. and apparently the on
" unexcited person in that vast as
semblage. What that General felt
within could only be imagined. His
stoical face did not reveal q clue to
it. a.tf af sH b<el " r71i
As Pemberton and Grant drew near
each other. both, as though involun-
tarily, paused, perhaps waiting each
the first word from the other. This
slight embarrassment was brought to
q close by Col. Montgomery. who for
mally stepped forward and introduced
the chieftains. They shook hands,
Pcmberton being apparently little
disconnected by the complacency of
bis opponent. These men meeting thus
after the long siege in which they had
been pitted against each other, had
been Lieutenants together in the same
command in many hard fought bat.
tie in Mexico, hence were personally
know n to each other. Seldom such
scenes occur outside the field of ro-
nance. i
Pemberton's first remark was that
he had been present when different
fortresses surrendered to Federal arms |
in the war with Mexico. In all these |
the enemy were granted terms and |
conditions. He thought his army as
well entitled to these favors as for.
eign foe. Grant listened, and then
proposed private conversation Of a |
few moments. 1t struck Pemberton
favorably, and the two Generals STEP
ped 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 surrendered.
1t was arranged that the Federal
forces should enter at 10 o'clock A. NJ. |
next day, the 4th Of July. The rebels |
were all TO be paroled on the spot, but
surrender arms &C. The officers we're |
to retain their horses &C., and four
oeyo tottOuCs W VIC kdAcu IIOtu tie /
Confederate stores.
This was certainly as much as Gen. |
Grant could consent to grant to pris-
cners yet liable to exchange. 1t was |
policy, perhaps, not to subsist the reb.
els in Sc large number, or to endeav.
or to transport them at once to the
North, Our work is TO rursue aud
punish, MOTTO fetch and carry. the en- !
envy. s4lg,4,asr has ,gl4 ,.
From 10000 to 80. 900 prisoners, by
this arrangement. fell into Grants
hands, along with their small arms,
forts. dcfences. guns, &C.. &c, Of the
garrison at Vicksburg. Cannon are
plenty, and in quality equal 70 the
best in the Confederacy.
At 10 O'Clock A. NJ, on the 4th--on
the truly glorious Fourth-as agreed.
Gen. Steels division marched into and
garrisoned the city. the band playing
-