Horace Greeley, The American Conflict: A History of the Great Rebellion in the United States of America, 1860-65: its Causes, Incidents, and Results: Intended to exhibit especially its moral and political phases with the drift and progress of American opinion respecting human slavery from 1776 to the close of the War for the Union. Volume II.

[315] and rapidly than any engineer. The harassed, shattered garrison could better fight on their ramparts than starve behind then. At length, after 45 days of isolation, Pemberton, hopeless of relief, and at the end of his resources, hung out a white flag¹ in front of Gen. A. J. Smith's division; and our men, sent forward to inquire as to its purport, were informed that Gen. Bowen and Col. Montgomery, of Pemberton's staff, bore a communication from their chief to G en. Grant. Duly blindfolded, they were taken to Gen. Burbridge's tent, whence their message was communicated to our commander, and proved to be an application for an armistice, with a view to arranging terms of capitulation. Gen. Grant promptly responded, requiring an unconditional surrender; to which Bowen demurred, expressing a wish to converse with Gen. Grant. This was declined; but a willingness avowed to confer with Gen. Pemberton, if he wished, at such time as he should appoint. Pemberton accordingly named 3 P. M. of that day; at which time, the meeting took place: Pemberton being attended by Bowen and Montgomery; Grant by McPherson, Ord, Logan, and A. J. Smith, beside his staff. Pemberton required that his men should be paroled and marched beyond our lines with eight days rations drawn from their own stores [they applied to our commissary for rations next day ]; the officers to retain their private property and their body-servants. Grant heard all that they proposed, then broke up the conference, promising to send his answer before night; hostilities to remain suspended meantime. Accordingly, after conferring with his Major-Generals, Grant sent by Gen. Logan and Lt.-Col. Wilson the following letter:

headquarters, Department of Tennessee, near Vicksburg, July 3, 1863.
Lt.-Gen. J. C. Pemberton, commanding Confederate forces, Vicksburg, Miss.:

General: In conformity with the agreement of this afternoon, I will submit the following propositions for the surrender of the city of Vicksburg, public stores, etc. On your accepting the terms proposed, I will march in one division as a guard, and take possession at 8 A. M. to-morrow. 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 then 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. If these conditions are accepted, any amount of rations you may deem necessary can be taken from the stores you now have, and also the necessary cooking utensils for preparing them, and thirty wagons also, counting two two-horse or mule teams as one. You will be allowed to transport such articles as can not be carried along. The same conditions will be allowed to all sick and wounded officers and privates, as fast as they become able to travel. The paroles of these latter must be signed, however, whilst officer's are present authorized to sign the roll of prisoners.

I am, General, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

U. S. Grant, Major-General.

Pemberton responded as follows:

headquarters, Vicksburg, July 3, 1863.
Maj.-Gen. Grant, com'ding U. S. forces:

General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this (late, proposing terms for the surrender of this garrison and post. In the main, your terms are accepted; but, in justice both to the honor and spirit of my troops., manifested in the defense of Vicksburg, I have the honor to submit the following amendments; which, if acceded to by you, will perfect the agreement between us. At 10 o'clock tomorrow, I propose to evacuate the works in and around Vicksburg, and to surrender the city and garrison under my command, by marching out with my colors and arms, and stacking them in front of my present