REAR-ADMIRAL PORTER’S FLOTILLA ARRIVING BELOW VICKSBURG ON THE NIGHT OP AIEIL 16, 1863—IN THE FOREGROUND GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN GOING IN A YAWL TO THE
FLAG-SHIP “ BENTON.”
on the plain side of wall paper. The last was issued on the 4th, and announced that we had “ caught our rabbit.”
I have no doubt that Pemberton commenced his correspondence on the 3d for the twofold purpose ; first, to avoid an assault, which he knew would be successful, and second, to prevent the capture taking place on the great national holiday,— the anniversary of the Declaration of American Independence. Holding out for better terms, as he did, he defeated his aim in the latter particular.
On the 4th, at the appointed hour, the garrison of Vicksburg marched out of their works, and formed line in front, stacked arms, and marched back in good order. Our whole army present witnessed this scene without cheering.
Logan’s division, which had approached nearest the rebel works, was the first to march in, and the flag of one of the regiments of his division was soon floating over the court-house. Our soldiers were no sooner inside the lines than the two armies began to fraternize. Our men had had full rations from the time the siege commenced to the close. The enemy had been suffering, particularly toward the last. I myself saw our men taking bread from their haversacks and giving it to the enemy they had so recently been engaged in starving out. It was accepted with avidity and with thanks.
Pemberton says in his report: “ If it should be asked why the 4th of July was selected as the day for surrender, the answer is obvious. I believed that upon that day I should obtain better terms. Well aware of the vanity of our foe, I knew they would attach vast importance to the entrance, on the 4th of July, into the stronghold of the great
for each brigade to march to the front of the lines now occupied by it, and stack arms at 10 o’clock a. m., and then return to the inside and there remain as prisoners until properly paroled, I will make no objection to it. Should no notification be received of your acceptance of my terms by 9 o’clock A. M., I shall regard them as having been rejected, and shall act accordingly. Should these terms be accepted, white flags should be displayed along your lines to prevent such of my troops as may not have been notified from firing upon your men.”
Pemberton promptly accepted these terms.
During the siege there had been a good deal of friendly sparring between the soldiers of the two armies, on picket and where the lines were close together. All rebels were known as “ Johnnies”; all Union troops as “Yanks.” Often “Johnny” would call, “ Well, Yank, when are you coming into town?” The reply was sometimes: “We propose to celebrate the 4th of July there.” Sometimes it would be: “We always treat our prisoners with kindness and do not want to hurt them ”; or, “We are holding you as prisoners of war and while you are feeding yourselves.” The garrison, from the commanding general down, undoubtedly expected an assault on the 4th. They knew from the temper of their men it would be successful when made, and that would be a greater humiliation than to surrender. Besides it would be attended with severe loss to them.
The Vicksburg paper, which we received regularly through the courtesy of the rebel pickets, said prior to the 4th, in speaking of the “Yankee” boast that they would take dinner in Vicksburg that day, that the best receipt for cooking rabbit was, “First ketch your rabbit.” The paper at this time, and for some time previous, was printed
pense. At Aiken’s theywould have to be paroled, because the Confederates did not have Union prisoners to give in exchange. Then again Pemberton’s army was largely composed of men whose homes were in the south-west ; I knew many of them were tired of the war and would get home just as soon as they could. A large number of them had voluntarily come into our lines during the siege and requested to be sent north where they could get employment until the war was over and they could go to their homes.
Late at night I received the following reply to my last letter :
“ I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this date, proposing terms of capitulation for 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 to submit the following amendments, which, if acceded to by you, will perfect the agreement between us. At 10 o’clock A. m. to-morrow 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, stacking them in front of my present lines, after which you will take possession. Officers to retain their side-arms and personal property, and the rights and property of citizens to be respected.”
This was received after midnight ; my reply was as follows :
“ i have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of 3d July. The amendment proposed by you cannot be acceded to in full. It will be necessary to furnish every officer and man with a parole signed by himself, which, with the completion of the roll of !iris-oners, will necessarily take some time. Again, I can make no stipulations with regard to the treatment of citizens and their private property. While I do not propose to cause them any undue annoyance or loss, I cannot consent to leave myself under any restraint by stipulations. The property which officers will be allowed to take with them will be as stated in my proposition of last evening ; that is, officers will be allowed their private baggage and side-arms, and mounted officers one horse each. If you mean by your proposition
substance of the interview, and was ready to hear any suggestion ; but would hold the power of deciding entirely in my own hands. This was the nearest to a “ council of war ” I ever held. Against the general and almost unanimous judgment of the council, I sent the following letter:
“ In conformity with agreement of this afternoon I will submit the following proposition for the surrender of the city of Vicksburg, public stores, etc. On your accepting the terms proposed I w'ill march in one division as a guard, and take possession at 8 a. m. to-morrow. As soon as rolls can be made out and paroles be signed by officers and men, you will be allowed to march out of our lines, the officers taking with them their side-arms and clothing; and the field, staff, 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. Thirty wagons also, counting׳ two-horse or mule teams as one, will be allowed to transport such articles as cannot be carried along. The same conditions will be allowed to all sick and wounded officers and soldiers as fast as they become able to travel. The paroles for these latter must bo signed, however, whilst officers present are authorized to sign the roll of prisoners.”
By the terms of the cartel then in force, prisoners captured by either army were required to be forwarded, as soon as possible, to either Aiken’s Landing below Dutch Gap, on the James River, or to Vicksburg, there to be exchanged, or paroled until they could be exchanged. There was a Confederate Commissioner at Vicksburg, authorized to make the exchange. I did not propose to take him prisoner, but to leave him free to perform the functions of his office. Had I insisted upon an unconditional surrender, there would have been over thirty-odd thousand men to transport to Cairo, very much to the inconvenience of the army on the Mississippi; thence the prisoners would have had to be transported by rail to Washington or Baltimore ; thence again by steamer to Aiken’s — all at very great ex-
REAR-ADMIRAL PORTER’S FLOTILLA PASSING THE VICKSBURG BAT׳TERIES NIGHT OF APRIL 16, 1863 THE FLAG-SHIP “BENTON” LEADING, FOLLOWED BY THE LOUISVILLE, LAFAY ETTE,” “GENERAL PRICE,” “MOUND CITY,” “PITTSBURG,” “ CARONDELET,” AbD “TUS-CUMBIA”; AND THE TRANSPORTS “HENRY CLAY,” “FOREST QUEEN,” AND “SILVER WAVE.” (FROM A WAR-TIME SKETCH.)
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