Doc. 87.-Colonel Pegram's surrender. July 12, 1861.
Gen. McClellan's report to Lieut.-Gen. Scott.
I have received from Col. Pegram propositions for the surrender, with his officers and remnant of his command — say six hundred men. They are said to be extremely penitent, and determined never again to take up arms against the General Government.
I shall have near nine hundred or one thousand prisoners to take care of when Col. Pegram comes in. The latest accounts make the loss of the rebels in killed some one hundred and fifty.
G. B. McClellan, Major-General Department of Ohio.
The following correspondence preceded the capitulation:
General McClellan sent the following reply by his Aide-de-Camp, Lieutenant Williams, United States Army:near Tygart's valley River, six miles from Beverly, July 12, 1861.sir: I write to state to you that I have, in consequence of the retreat of General Garnett, and the jaded and reduced condition of my command, most of them having been without food for two days, concluded, with the concurrence of a majority of my captains and field officers, to surrender my command to you tomorrow, as prisoners of war. I have only to add, I trust they will only receive at your hands such treatment as has been invariably shown to the northern prisoners by the South. I am, sir, your obedient servant,
To Commanding Officer of Northern Forces, Beverly, Va.:John Pegram, Lieutenant-Colonel P. A. C. S., Com'dg.
Headquarters, Department of the Ohio, Beverly, Va., July 13, 1861.sir: Your communication dated yesterday, proposing the surrender as prisoners of war of the force assembled under your command, has been delivered to me. As commander of this department, I will receive you and them with the kindness due to prisoners of war, but it is not in my power to relieve you or them from any liabilities incurred by taking arms against the United States. I am, very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
John Pegram, Esq., styling himself Lieutenant-Colonel, P. A. C. S.:
