The National tribune., 1902-01-23
Copyrighted, 1901. by the publis

while the roar OF the muSketry ana can
non of the besiegers shook the hills, Whit
flags appeared on the rebel works in from
of Maj.-GeD. LcgRn's line As far along
the line as these white flags could be seer
the firing instantly ceased; the word was
rapidly passed along the line to the righ
and left of the.raiSing of Il flag of truce.
Both armies ceased the dreadful wOrl
of war, and paused 10 await the result
TWn officers passed over the Confederate
works, bearing n white flag. They came
forward toward the Union line. These
officers were Maj.-Gen John S. Bower
and Col. Montgomery, of Gen. Pember-
tons staff They were met by Maj.-Gen
A. J. Smith.
Gen. Bowen bore the following letter
from Gen. Pemberton TO Gen. Grant:
~ have the honor to propose an armis-
tice for -- hours, with the view to ar
range terms for the capitulatiOn of Vicks-
hegg. To this end, if agreeable to you,
/ will appoint three commissioners, to
meet a like number to be named by your
self, al such place and hour today as you
may find convenient. | make this PROPOSE
ton TO save the further effusiOn of blood,
which must otherwise be shed to fright
flH extent, feeling myself fully able to
maintain my position for a yet indefinite
period. This communication will be hand
I ed you, under flag of truce, by MaJ.-Gen.
John s. Bowen"
g. tEiIeU. bOWtn requested 10 See Seu
Grant, but was refused. He then Sug-
gested that Gen. Pembcrton and Gen.
Grant should meet. To this proposition
Gen. Grant sent. q verbal reply, saying
that if Gen. Pemberton desired to see him,
he would meet him in front of McPher-
sons Corps at 3 o'clock that afternoon.
To Gen. Pembertou's letter Gen. Grant
sent the following reply:
Your note of this date is just received
proposing an armiStice for several hours
for the purpose of arranging terms of capl-
tulation through commissioners, to be ap-
pointed, etc. The useless effusion of blood
you propose stopping by this course can
be ended at any time you may choose by
the unconditional surrender of the cit!
and garrison. Men who have shown SO
much endurance and courage as those now
in Ficksburg, will always challenge the re-
spect of an adversary, and l can assure
you viii be treated with all the respect
due to prisoners of war. do not favor
the proposition of appointing commission
ers to arrange the .erms of capitulati0n,
because ! have no terms other than these
indicated above"
his. letter was handed to Gen. Bowen,
who returned with it to the beleaguered
city.
, Th:s interview and the preparation of
the letter from Gen. Grant occupied con-
siderable time. Great interest was mani
Tested by officers and meI on both sides,
and hundreds of soldiers of the two armies
left their works and walked out into the
open space.
s L was on the line at the time, and with
several officers climbed over our works and
walked out in front. 1t was an interest
ing scene; the day was bright and beau
TifnL' The engInery of war was visible on
every hand, but the grim soldiers who but
few minutes before were firing upon
each other with deadly intent, were now
=,
and taking with each other in a spirit of
respect and friendliness.
But this state of things was. not to
the liking of the Confederate officers in
the immediate command of the troops.
Some Of them hurried along in front of
their men and ordered them within their
works. j met one of these officers, ard
assnrpd him that no bad effect to the
trlbTis on either side could come from this
sl&s't respite on the firing line.
Promptly at 3 o'clock Gen. Pemberton.
accompanied by Gen. Bowen and two or
three ether officers, came out for the pro
posed meeting. Gen. Grant, with Gems
Ord, Mcpherson, Logan and A. j. Smith,
went forward to meet them.
The interview was soon opened. Gen.
PembeFon made inquiry as to the termh
proposed for the surrender. Gen. Grant
replied that his letter contained his terms:
TO which Gen. Pembertoh stated that the
interview had as well end. To which Gen.
Grant replied Very we'll"
Ii seemed as though the conference
would be broken up. but Gen. Bowen in
terposed, and suggested that he should
confer with one Of our officers. To this
Gen. Grant assented, and designated Gen.
A. J. Smith. These two officers conferred
together, while Grant and Pemberton
moved away toward the Confederate line
and engaged i'll conversation.
In a short time Gen. Bowen proposed
that the Confederate army should be per-
mitted TO march out with the hOnors Of
wRr. carrying their small-arms and their
field artillery.
This proposition was instantly rejected
by Gen. Grant. The General proposed,
however, TO send letter to Gen. Pember-
ton by 10 o'clock that night proposing final
terms for the surrender of the place This
was agreed TO, and it was arranged that
hostilities should cease on both sides un-
til the correspondence ended.
Admiral Porter was informed of this ar
rangement, as was Gen. Sherman, and his
officers commanding the force about eight
miles 10 the rear.
Epon his return to headquarters Gen.
Giant summoned the corps and division
commanders in the immediate front of
Sicksburg TO a conference. They were in
formed Of the interviews and letters which
had passed between himself and Gen
pembertOn and were asked for their views
in regard TO terms of surrender: but Gen
Grant stated that he would hold in his
own hands THE final decision as to terms |
Gen. Grant listened with attention to
every suggestion made by officers present. |
There was broad divergence Of opinion
as to the proper course TO pursue. Finally
Gen Grant wrote the following letter to
Gen. Pemherton:
In conformity with agreement of this
afternoon, / will submit the following
proposition for the surrender of the city
of Nicksbnrg, public stores, etc. On your
accePfiDg the terms proposed, viii march
IN one division as a guard, and take pos
session at y a. m, tomorrow As soon as
o. rolls can Bc made out and paroles signed by
officers and men, Won will be allowed to
march out of our lines, the officers taking
with them their sidc-arms and clothing,
:n4! he field, staff and cavalry officers one
horse each. The rank and file will be al
lowch all their clothing, but no other prop
"rty. IL these conditions are accepted, any
amount OF ratiOns you may deem neces-
Safy can bc taken from the stores you now
have. and also the necessary cooking uten-
sils for preparing them. Thirty wagons
also. counting two twO-hOrse or mule
teams as one, viii be allowed TO transport
such articles as cannot he carried along.
The same conditions will be allowed to all
sick and wounded officers and soldiers as
fast as they become able to travel. The
paroles for these latter must be signed,
however whilst officers present are au-
thoriyed Ia sign the roll of prisoners"
This letter was sent through the lines