To this General Grant replied as follows: } HEAD-QUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF TENNESSEE, IN THE FIELD, near Vicksburg, July 3, 1863. Lieutenant-General J. C. PEMBERTON, commanding Confederate forces, &c. : GENERAL:-Your note of this date, just received, proposes an armistice of several hours for the purpose of arranging terms of capitulation through commissioners to be appointed, &c. The effusion of blood you propose stopping by this course can be ended at any time you may choose, by an unconditional surrender of the city and garrison. Men who have shown so much endurance and courage as those now in Vicksburg will always challenge the respect of an adversary, and I can assure you will be treated with all the respect due them as prisoners of war. I do not favor the proposition of appointing commissioners to arrange terms of capitulation, because I have no other terms than those indicated above. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, General Bowen expressed a wish to converse with the general on this important matter; but the latter at once declined. General Bowen then requested that General Grant would meet General Pemberton on neutral ground, as more could be arranged at one personal interview than by an exchange of numerous dispatches. General Grant very readily replied he would willingly do so in person, offering to meet General Pemberton the same afternoon at three o'clock, and consult with him on the terms he would grant the garrison. This reply was placed in the hands of the rebel messengers, who, blindfolded, were conducted back to the place of entrance to the Union lines, and were there set at liberty, to return with the answer. Nothing more was now done until afternoon. The artillery reopened, and the siege went on as before. By noon, however, the general promulgated his orders, requir ing a temporary cessation of hostilities. At three o'clock precisely, one gun, the prearranged signal, was fired, and immediately replied to by the enemy. General Pemberton then made his appearance on the works in McPherson's front, under a white flag, considerably on the left of what is known as Fort Hill. General Grant rode through our trenches until he came to an outlet, leading to a small green space, which had not been trod by either army. Here he dismounted, and advanced to meet Gen eral Pemberton, with whom he shook hands, and greeted familiarly. It was beneath the outspreading branches of a gigantic oak that the conference of the generals took place. Here presented the only space which had not been used for some purpose or other by the contending armies. The ground was covered with a fresh, luxuriant verdure; here and there a shrub or clump of bushes could be seen standing out from the green growth on the surface, while several oaks filled up the scene, and gave it character. Some of the trees, in their tops, exhibited the effects of flying projectiles, by the loss of limbs or torn foliage, and in their trunks the indentations of smaller missiles plainly marked the occurrences to which they had been silent witnesses. The party made up to take part in the conference was composed as follows: UNITED STATES OFFICERS. Major-General U. S. Grant. Major-General James B. McPherson. REBEL OFFICERS. Lieutenant-General John C. Pemberton. Colonel Montgomery, A. A. G. to Gen. Pemberton. When Generals Grant and Pemberton met, they shook hands, Colonel Montgomery introducing the party. A short silence ensued, at the expiration of which, General Pemberton remarked : "General Grant, I meet you in order to arrange terms for the capitulation of Vicksburg and its garrison. What terms do you demand ?" "Unconditional surrender," replied General Grant. "Unconditional surrender!" said Pemberton. "Never, so long as I have a man left me! I will fight rather." "Then, sir, you can continue the defense," coolly said General Grant. "My army has never been in a better condition for the prosecution of the siege." During the passing of these few preliminaries, General Pemberton was greatly agitated, quaking from head to foot; while General Grant experienced all his natural self-possession, and evinced not the least sign of embarrassment. After a short conversation standing, by a kind of mutual tendency, the two generals wandered off from the rest of the party and seated themselves on the grass, in a cluster of bushes, where alone they talked over the important events then pending. General Grant could be seen, even at that distance, talking coolly, occasionally giving a few puffs at his favorite companion-his black cigar. General McPherson, General A. J. Smith, General Bowen and Colonel Montgomery, imitating the example of the commanding generals, seated themselves at some distance off, while the respective staff's of the generals formed another and larger group in the rear. After a lengthy conversation, the generals separated. General Pemberton did not come to any conclusion on the matter, but stated his intention to submit the matter to a council of general officers of his command; and, in the event of their assent, the surrender of the city should be made in the morning. Until morning was given him to consider, to determine upon the matter, and send in his final reply. The generals now rode to their respective quarters. General Grant conferred with his corps and division commanders, and sent a letter to General Pemberton, by the hands of General Logan and Lieutenant-Colonel Wil son: HEAD-QUARTERS Department oF TENNESSEE, } Lieutenant-General J. C. PEMBERTON, commanding Confederate forces, Vicksburg, Miss.: GENERAL:-In conformity with the agreement of this afternoon, I will submit the following proposition for the surrender of the city of Vicksburg, public stores, &c. On your accepting the terms proposed, I will march in one division, as a guard, and take possession at eight o'clock to-morrow .morning. As soon as paroles can be made out and signed by the officers and men, you will be allowed to march out of our lines, the officers taking with them their regimental clothing, and staff, field, and cavalry officers one horse each. The rank and file will be allowed all their clothing, but no other property. |