Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-07-10

MEETING OF GRANT AND PEMBERrON.
at was but short time before the last
vestige of its body root and limb had disap-
reared, the fragments taken as trophies
Since then the same tree has furnished as
many cords Of wood taken as trophies as tho
True Cross
Grant and Pemhertnn had been together
in the Mexican war, and were old acquaint-
ances Pe0lberton asked Grant what terms
OF surrender he would allow. Grant an
swered: The same as those proposed in my
reply to your letter, unconditional surren-
der"
Never" exclaimed Pemberton. angrily
Never, SO long as have a man left. The
conference might as well end"
Grant replied: Very we'll. my army has
never been i'm better condition to continue
tho siege"
Several officers of Grants staff. also Gems
Ord. Mcpherson, Logan and A. j. Smith,
were with him on the hillside. With Penn
berton were Gen. Bowen and Col Mont
gomery. The Confederate Gen Bowen was
anxious that the surrender should take place
He proposed that he and, ele Of Grants gen
erals should have conference. This was
agreed to, and Penberton and Grant moved
little apart and waited Grant smoked in
silence, Pembertou chewed straws and made
an occasional remark.
Bowen made proposal that the garrison
DO allowed to march out with the honors of
war. Grant rejected it. He, however,
agreed to sen,l letter to Pemberton that
night giving final terms. Firing had mean,
time ceased ali alons the lines on the river,
word having been sent 20 Admiral Porter.
The interview ended. Grant returned to
his headquarters. Pemberton to his. Gran,
Immediately sent for all his corps and divis
ion commanders within reach and laid the
case before them. He told them he would
hear anything they had to say, but would do
as he thought best He says in his Memoirs:
This was the nearest to council Of war
ever held"
He took his own head for it," however, in
deciding, as he said he should do, and offered
terms which he says were against the almost
unanimous judgment OF his generals He
wrote Penherton. telling hiLi he would allow
the Confederate officers AMI itch W 70 out Of
Vicksburg on parole Officers and men
would be allowed to take their clothing with
them. officers their side arms. and field, staH
and cavalry officers one horse each. All
would be allowed TO take with them ratiOns
from Confederate stores, and thirty Wagons
would he suffered to 60 with them to trans
port baggage and cooking utensils
Pemberton accepted, with the proviso that
his men be allowed to march out in battle
array, with oolors flying. and stack their
arms in front of the Confederate lines, at 10
o'clock. July 4. Grant saw no objection to
this bit of military display, and agreed to it.
with the stipulation that after stacking arms
the Confederates must return inside their
lines and remain as prisoners of war till
properly paroled.
This final letter OF Grants was sent to
Pemberton after midnight In it were the
following words:
SHOULD no notification be received Of
your acceptance of my terms by O'Clock a.
m. shall regard them as having been re
jected, and shall act accordingly
The terms were promptly accepted by
Pemberton. Troops surrendered. 3l.GOO
On the spot where the historic oak stood Is
now monument. 1t is a pyramid, sur
mounted by globe. the whole over twenty
feet high. An eagle. bearing Gu its wings
the Goddess Of Liberty, covers one side of the
pyramid Upon another is Inscribed. ITO
the memory of the surrender of Vicksburg
by Lieut.. Gen. } C. Pemberton to Maj Gen.
U. s. Grant, U. S. A. on July 4, 1858"