The National tribune., 1902-01-23
NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY JANUARY 49, 1902

w Campbell; 10th La, Lieut. Col. Frederick
NJ. Crandull.
U. S. Colored Troops tAfriean,. Brigade
Col. Sheppard, aggregate present, 3, ,130.
While the entire force as shown by tn
returns wSS 103,455, the effective fight
ing force was 1926 officers and men
This did rot include the officers and mel
of the navy. Besides this great aggregate
of military force. there were about ,!
steamboats, in the transport service, al
of which had their complement of officer.
and men, who were employed by the Gov
ernment, but were not mustered into thu
| military service. All of these men were
| necessary to the success of the army, q
| they were engaged in transporting the
supplies for the Commissary, Quartermas
ter and Ordnance Departments of the
| army. These forces were all engaged ir
| the great military task of capturing the
garrison of Nicksburg, and are entitled to
| share in its glory.
During the progress of the siege con
slant communication was kept up between
| Gen. Grants headquarters by telegraph
| and letters with commanding officers al
| Haynes's Bluff and Big Black River; also
| by letter with Admiral Porter COuriers
were in motion day and night bearing
| messages.
When Gen. Pemberton on the morning
of July 3 proposed by letter to negotiate
| for the surrender of Yicksburg, Gen,
| Grant determined, if the surrender was
agreed upon, TO instantly dispatch Gen
Sherman to attack Gen. Joseph II John
ston, who was then at the head of q
strong force east of Big Black River.
Gen Grant ut once telegraphcd to Gen.
Sherman at his camp on Big Black River
to hold his entire force ready to move
against Johnston at n moments notice.
lie Informed him that Pemberton, under
! flag of truce, had sent him letter pro-
trNZaE 11WNfF
tIcksburg. and that he had no doubt that
the surrender would occur the next day,
and that upon being informed of the sur
render he must Immediately move against
Gen. JohnstOn's forces.
1t was a part of Gen. Shcrman's mil
itary creed to hold his army in the field
ready to move Immediately upon receiy-
ing orders. lie inculcated this principle
into the minds of every officer and soldier
under him; they came to be in a constant
state of readiness to march; an order Mt
midnight to march at daylight never took
them by surprise; it was their business
to be ready, and they were ready.
The troops assigned for this movement
were the Ninth, Thirteenth and Fifteenth
Army Corps, all under the command of
Gen. She.,in
When the fact became known that over
lures for surrender had actually been
made by Gen. Pemberton, the officers of
the navy and outlying military commands
were thrown into high state of anxiety
and expectation.
Everybody wanted the latest news.
Gen. Grant undertook to keep command
ng officers posted as to the progress of
events. TIE letters and orders which
passed between various officers of the
army and navy give an insight into the
Character of the men, the intense earnest
ness with which every duty was per-
formed. and the complete harmony and
friendship that existed between them.
With Gen. Grant but little rest was taken
during the night of July 3. On the morn
ing of the 4th he was on duty at an early
hour, as will be seen from the following
notes:
CoSGRATUEAToRY NOTES.
Grant to Sherman, July 4:
Gen. Sherman: Your note has been
received. Propositions have been sent in
for the surrender of Vicksburg. Pember-
tons reply Is mOmentarily expected. If
he does not surrender now, he will be
compelled to by his men within two days
no doubt. The orders will be made as
you suggest the moment YicksbHrg is ours
Ord and Steele have both been notified
to move the moment Vicksburg falls, Ord
to take 10 days hard bread, salt, coffee
and sugar. | will change this to five, in
vleY of the provision train you expect to
take. | will let you know the moment
Pemberton's answer arrives.
''U. S. GRANT"
Grant to Porter:
July 4; $50 a. m.
.'The enemy has accepted in the main
my terms of capitulation. and will sur
render the city, works and garrison at 10
Il. IN.
The firing now going on arises from.
Porter to Grant:
Il congratulate you in getting Vicks-
burg on any honorable terms. You would
hud it'a troublesome job to transport so
many men, and | think you will be left so
free to act it will counterbalance any lit
tie concession you may seem to make to
the garrison: | see they are taking a
blowout tonight"
When it became certain that Pcmberton
would surrender, Gen. Grant arranged to
the facts to Gen. Banks.
then besicging Port Gibson. This will
be shown by the following letters:
Porter to Grant:
Il will have IL steamer all ready to
carry dispatches to Gen. Banks and the
fleet below. What time will you wish to
send. and will you take up your hcLd-
quarters in the city at Once!'
Grant to Banks, July 4:
''Thc garrison Of Yicksburg surren-
drred this morning. Number of prisoners.
as given by the officers, is $1,000; field
artillery, I2S pieces, and a large number
Of siege guns, probably not less than So
The ether stores will probably not amount
to any great deal. | held all my surplus
troops on Big Black River, and between
there and Haynes's Bluff, intending to
assault in n few days. | directed that
they be kept in readiness to move on the
shortest notice to attack Johnston. The
moment the surrender of Vicksburg was
agreed upon the order was given, and
troops are now in motion. Gen. Sher-
man goes in command of this expedition
His force is so large that think it can
not fail. This move will have the effect
Df keeping Johnston from detaching por-
tiOn of his force for the relief of Port
Hudson. Although l had the garrison
Of Vicksburg completely in my power. l
gave them the privilege of being paroled
at this place, the officers to retain their
slde-arms and private baggage, and field,
staff and cavalry officers to take with
them one horse each. L regard the terms
really more favorable than an uncondi-
tiOnal surrender. 1t leaves the trans
ports and troops for immediate use. At
the present juncture of affairs in the East