The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-07-14
THE SURRENDER
Of V|CKSBURG
. Accounts Given Of That Event
by General Grant and Gen
eral Pelnberton.
LIKE DOCTORS, THEY DIFFER
NNell-Known Confederate Au-
tllo,ity Throws Light on
Subject.
q cry MAncus j. NnIGHT.

sY GEN. MARCUS }. WRIGHT.
In November, 1884, General Grant
wrote me that he was engaged by the
Century Magazine to write some artl-
cles He recalled our former meetings,
and said that i might aid him IN fur 4
nishing data and information in gen
elal from Confederate sources From
this resulted considerable CORRESPOND
enee between us. Afterwards receiv-
ed letter from him, dated Novem-
her. 1854, at New York City, from
,,y.ililiitc,,1 ! q%otA:
II wrote during the summer four
articles for the Century Magazine, on
as many battles or campaigns OF the
Ear. This gave me the idea of writ
irs up. not only all the battles in
which / took part, but also brief BIO
graphical sketch CT my life UP to the.
rebellion. It viii be some WEEKS get
before | reach the beginning of the
lac war When I do. and particular
~ after getting beyond what is pub
iished in the Rebellion Records, l will
no doubt. have to call upon you In
regard to the Nicksburg campaign,
Chattanooga and the Wilderness, If 1t
Is not too late for me to use It, The
publication of the Shiloh article Is
probably too near at hand to make
any material changes in it. All that
have written for the magazine will,
no doubt be changed tfor the bet
ter / hopel when 1t goes into the
book, The articles We're taken up sep
arately and treat OF events occurring
IN the middle Of q series, and natural
~ viii be presented differently from
what trsy would be IL taken up at
the beginning and presented in the
order OF their occurrence"
General pemberton's Letter.
Replying to this L sent him a copy
Of a letter from General John c. Penn
berton to Colonel John p Nicholson,
Of Philadelphia, which General Penn
tcrton authorized Colonel Nicholson
20 make public If he chose Colonel
Nicholson authorized me to send &
cory to General Grant The letter is
as follows:
Philadelphia, July u, 1875.
Colonel John p. Nicholson:
Dear Sill give you with great
pleasure my version of the interview
between General Grant and myself on
the afternoon of July 8, 1863, in front
Of the Confederate lines Mt Vicksburg.
II YOU Will refer to the first volume of
Badeaus Life of General u. S. Grant"
you will find marked Discrepancy
between the authors account and mine
DO not fear, however, to trust to
the honest memory of any officer there
present to conisrh tDa statement
stall make. Passing over the precad
ing events, l come at once to the cir
crnstances that brought about the
personal Interview referred to- Feel,
ing assured that it was useless tc
kppe longer for any assistance fror
General Johnston, either to raise Inc
siege Of Nicksburg or TO rescue the
garrison, ! summoned division and
if;gade commanders with one or two
others to met in my quarters on the
nignt or the I'd Of July. All tn.
correspondence that had taken nlac,
during the siege between General John
lion and myself was laid before thes
nthcers. After much considerations !;
was advised that ! address a note +,
General Grant proposing the appoint
ateAt OF commissioners to arrang
terms OF capItulation
me following having been read t
the council and approved waa zsT,t !
General Grant under flag of true
ny the hands Of Major General job
5, Bowen on the morning Of the 80:
The Correspondence
Nicksburg, July 3, 1864
Ma]or-General Grant, Commanding I
8. Forces Near yicksburg!
General,-I have the honor to nrc
pose 10 you an armistlce OF - hon
with view TO arranging terms
cap!tulation of Vicksburg. To IN
end. II agreeable 10 you. / will a,
point three commissioners TO meet
ike number 10 be named by yoursel
70 meet AT such place and hour t,
day as you may lind convenient.
make this proposition to save furth,
effusion Of blood which most otha
wise be shed To frightful exter
feeling myself fully able to mainta
my position for q yet indefinite perio
This communication will he handed
you under flag of truce by Maio
General John S Bowen
am, General. very respectfully, yo
most opedient servant,
JOHN c. PEAIBERTON,
Lieutenact- General Commands
Genera; Grants Reply.
In due time the following renly W
handed to me;
Headquarters
Department OF the Tenness
Near YIcksburg.
July 3, 1863
General John c. Pelnbert,
Commanding Confederate Fore
clc
General.--Your note Of this date
just reeeiyed, proposing an armat
for several hours for The purpose
arranging terms ot cap!tulat
through commissioners to be appoi
ed, etc,
the useless efusion of blood.
propose stopping by this course can
anded at amy time you Ipgy choose
s5 an unconditional surrender of the {
and garrison. Men who have so m
endurance and courage as shown
yicksburg Wan always CHALLENGE