The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-05-27
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What Our Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns
vICRSBURG.
zen. Ianaram Tells About the Surrender OF FIcks
burg.

Gen. ImRdram Tells About the Surrender or FlCks-
burg.
To THE EDITOR: nj. nj. Wright, Co. j, Goth
Ohio asks for some account OF the first nag OF
truce nj Vicksburg In my address at the Re
union of the Cincinnati Society OF ex-Army
and Navy Officers, nc the Burnett House, Jan.
10, 1882, in response 10 the toast =" Alcksburg
and its Siege" gave the following account OF
the Gag OF truce alluded to:
On the 81 OF July, under q flag Of truce Gen.
Bowen and Mai Montgomery, OF the Confederate
army appeared in our front, and were escorted
blindfolded 10 the headquarters Of Gen. Bur
bridge who being confined 10 his bed at that Time
sent for me 10 assist In entertaining them during
their stay. AMER entering the tent the handker,
chiefs were removed and they at once announced
that they were the bearers OF communication
from Gen. PembertOn 30 Gen. Grant. Gen A. >.
Smith, the division commander, was theh sent lot
and upon his arrival and introduction 10 these OIL
GERS lac received the papers and started To the
Headquarters Of Gen. Grant The time was pleas
any occupied during his absenee IN discussing INC
battles of Port Gibson, Bakers Creek ana other
engagements Gen Bowen especially talking freely
and unreseryedly about everything that had no
reference 10 the siege. lie complimented Admiral
FarFaput FOR his galantry in running the blockade
of Grand Gulf with hts wooden feet, and SAID that
he was quite sure he had recognized the Admiral,
and gave orders to his men under no circumstances
20 fire al him. lie said that AT the battle OF Fort
Gibson he deceived McCernand as 20 his real
strength by stretching out his command and max
ing q company represent regiment. Upon the
return Of Gen Smith with the reply OF Gen. Grant.
Gen Bowen opened the envelope, read the COM
municntion, and remarked that reply would be
sent that night. They were again blindiolded, and
Mai Montgomery, conducted by stan officer and
Gen Bowen by myself. through our works back 60
Che Confederate intrenehmens. The bandnRes
were removed, at my suggestion as soon as We
reached the few yards OF disputed territory, and
after lighting cigars and peasantshake OF the
hand we separated with "a friendly good-by.
do not remember what officer Of Gen. Bur
bridges Brigade escorted the Confederate Off
GERS into our lines, and think ID quite probable
Al was Mai Leonard, OF the 96tb Ohio. They
were not taken 60 Gen. Grant and never left
the tent of Burbridge during the time they
were in our lines Bnrbridge commanded the
First Brigade of Gen. A. J. Smiths Division,
while ] commanded the Second, our headGuar-
tiers being within sixty or seventy yards OF each
other The reply of Gen. Grant was written on
small n0te-papeT, and was not read aloud by
Bowen hence we were left only 10 con lecture as
90 the object OF their visit. i think something
was said by Bowen indicating desire Oh his part
90 have personal interview with Gen. Grant,
and he was informed by Gen. Smith that 1t
could not be granted. The walking through
the intrenchments was tiresome and worried
Bowen considerably, and he expressed great
qualification at my removal Of the handkeF-
chiefs with which their eyes were bandaged i
was satisfied that the visit was with reference
10 q contemplated surrender, though no ailu-
sion was made 10 that subject, or TO anything
connected with the siege, by any one present
during the interview, which lasted about an
hour aud q half The distance between our
headquarters and that Of Gen. Grant was about
mile but Gen. Smith was a very rapid rider.
Bowen and Montgomery were handsome, we'll
formed men, fine c0nversationalists, and seemed
% enjoy their visit. If they felt any chagrin
OF modification at the existing state of affairs,
they did moi show IL on the contrary, they
looked bright and cheerful, and were genial
and interesting In their conversation and bear.
ing generally. From what i had seen Of his
management Of troops, ! was impressed with
the belief that Gen. Bowen was not only one OF
the best officers in Pembert0n's command, but
one of the hest in the Confederate army.-W
j. LAEDRkM. Brcvet rigadier-General, u. s
Vols, Lancaster, Ky.