Chapter 53

No troops succeeded in entering any of the enemy's works with the exception of Sergeant Griffith, of the 21st regiment Iowa volunteers, and some eleven privates of the same regiment. Of these none returned except the sergeant and possibly one man. The work entered by him, from its position, could give us no practical advantage, unless others to the right and left of it were carried and held at the same time.

About 12 M., I received a despatch from McClernand that he was hard pressed at several points, in reply to which I directed him to re-enforce the points hard pressed from such troops as he had that were not engaged. I then rode round to Sherman, and had just reached there, when I received a second despatch from McClernand stating positively and unequivocally that he was in possession of and still held two of the enemy's forts; that the American flag was then waved over them, and asking me to have Sherman and McPherson make a diversion in his favor. This despatch I showed to Sherman, who immediately ordered a renewal of the assault on his front. I also sent a messenger to McClernand, directing him to order up McArthur to his assistance, and started immediately to the position I had just left on McPherson's line to convey to him the information from McClernand by this last despatch, that he might make the diversion requested. Before reaching McPherson I met a messenger with a third despatch from McClernand, of which the following is a copy:

Headquarters 13th Army Corps, To In the Field near Vicksburg, Mississippi, MAJOR-GENERAL U. S. GRANT. May 22d, 1863.

General: We have gained the enemy's intrenchments at several points, but are brought to a stand. I have sent word to McArthur to re-enforce me if he can. Would it not be best to (p. 388) concentrate the whole or part of his command on this point?

John A. MCCLERNAND, _Major-General commanding_.

P.S. I have received your despatch, my troops are all engaged, and I cannot withdraw any to re-enforce others.

MCCLERNAND.

The position occupied by me during most of the time of the assault gave me a better opportunity of seeing what was going on in front of the thirteenth army corps than I believed it possible for the commander of it to have. I could not see his possession of forts, nor necessity for re-enforcements, as represented in his despatches, up to the time I left it, which was between 12 M. and 1 P.M., and I expressed doubts of their correctness, which doubts the facts subsequently, but too late, confirmed. At the time I could not disregard his reiterated statements, for they might possibly be true; and that no possible opportunity of carrying the enemy's stronghold should be allowed to escape through fault of mine, I ordered Quinby's division, which was all of McPherson's corps then present, but four brigades, to report to McClernand, and notified him of the order. I showed his despatches to McPherson, as I had to Sherman, to satisfy him of the necessity of an active diversion on their part to hold as much force in their fronts as possible. The diversion was promptly and vigorously made and resulted in the increase of our mortality list full fifty per cent., without advancing our position or giving us other advantages.

About 3.50 P.M., I received McClernand's fourth despatch, as follows:

To Headquarters 13th Army Corps, MAJOR-GENERAL U. S. GRANT, May 22, 1863. Department of the Tennessee.

General: I have received your despatch in regard to General Quinby's division and General McArthur's division. As soon as they arrive I will press the enemy with all possible speed, and doubt not I will force my way through. I have lost no ground. My men are in two of the enemy's forts, but they are commanded by rifle pits in the rear. Several prisoners have been taken who intimate that the rear is strong. At this moment I am hard pressed.

John A. MCCLERNAND, _Major-General commanding_.

The assault of this day proved the quality of the soldiers of this army. Without entire success, and with a heavy loss, there was no murmuring or complaining, no falling back, nor other evidence of demoralization.

After the failure of the 22d, I determined upon a regular siege. The troops now being fully awake to the necessity of this worked diligently and cheerfully. The work progressed rapidly and satisfactorily until the 3d of July, when all was about ready for a final assault.

There was a great scarcity of Engineer officers in the beginning, but under the skillful superintendence of Captain F. E. Prime, of the Engineer corps, Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson, of my staff, (p. 389) and Captain C. B. Comstock, of the Engineer corps, who joined this command during the siege, such practical experience was gained as would enable any division of this army hereafter to conduct a siege with considerable skill in the absence of regular Engineer officers.

On the afternoon of the 3d of July a letter was received from Lieutenant-General Pemberton, commanding the Confederate forces at Vicksburg, proposing an armistice and the appointment of commissioners to arrange terms for the capitulation of the place. The correspondence, copies of which are herewith transmitted, resulted in the surrender of the city and garrison of Vicksburg at 10 o'clock A.M., July 4, 1863, on the following terms: The entire garrison, officers and men, were to be paroled, not to take up arms against the United States until exchanged by the proper authorities; officers and men each to be furnished with a parole, signed by himself; officers to be allowed then side arms and private baggage, and the field, staff and cavalry officers one horse each; the rank and file to be allowed all their clothing, but no other property; rations from their own stores sufficient to last them beyond our lines; the necessary cooking utensils for preparing their food; and thirty wagons to transport such articles as could not well be carried. These terms I regarded more favorable to the government than an unconditional surrender. It saved us the transportation of them north, which at that time would have been very difficult, owing to the limited amount of river transportation on hand, and the expenses of subsisting them. It left our army free to operate against Johnston, who was threatening us from the direction of Jackson, and our river transportation to be used for the movement of troops to any point the exigency of the service might require.

I deem it proper to state here, in order that the correspondence may be fully understood, that after my answer to General Pemberton's letter of the morning of the 3d, we had a personal interview on the subject of the capitulation.

The particulars and incidents of the siege will be contained in the reports of division and corps commanders, which will be forwarded as soon as received.

I brought forward during the siege, in addition to Lauman's division and four regiments previously ordered from Memphis, Smith's and Kimball's divisions of the sixteenth army corps, and assigned Major-General C. C. Washburne to command of same. On the 11th of June, Major-General F. J. Herron's division from the Department of the Missouri arrived; and on the 14th two divisions of the ninth army corps, Major-General J. G. Parke commanding, arrived. This increase in my force enabled me to make the investment most complete, and at the same time left me a large reserve to watch the movements of Johnston. Herron's division was put into position on the extreme south of the city, and Lauman's division was placed between Herron and McClernand. Smith's and Kimball's divisions and Parke's corps were sent to Haines's Bluff. This place I had fortified to the land side and every preparation made to resist a heavy force. Johnston crossed Big Black river with a portion of his force, and everything indicated that he would make an attack about the 25th of June. Our position in front of Vicksburg having been made as strong against a sortie from the enemy as his works were against an assault, I placed Major-General Sherman in command of all the troops designated to look after Johnston. The force intended to operate against Johnston, in addition to that at Haines's Bluff, was one division from each of the thirteenth, fifteenth, and (p. 390) seventeenth army corps and Lauman's division. Johnston, however, not attacking, I determined to attack him the moment Vicksburg was in our possession, and accordingly notified Sherman that I should again make an assault on Vicksburg at daylight on the 6th, and for him to have up supplies of all descriptions ready to move upon receipt of orders if the assault should prove a success. His preparations were immediately made, and when the place surrendered on the 4th two days earlier than I fixed for the attack, Sherman was found ready, and moved at once with a force increased by the remainder of both the thirteenth and fifteenth army corps, and is at present investing Jackson where Johnston has made a stand.

In the march from Bruinsburg to Vicksburg, covering a period of twenty days, before supplies could be obtained from government stores, only five days' rations were issued, and three days' of these were taken in haversacks at the start, and were soon exhausted. All other subsistence was obtained from the country through which we passed. The march was commenced without wagons, except such as could be picked up through the country. The country was abundantly supplied with corn, bacon, beef and mutton. The troops enjoyed excellent health, and no army ever appeared in better spirits or felt more confident of success.

In accordance with previous instructions, Major-General S. A. Hurlbut started Colonel (now Brigadier-General) B. H. Grierson with a cavalry force from La Grange, Tennessee, to make a raid through the central portion of the State of Mississippi to destroy railroads and other public property, for the purpose of creating a diversion in favor of the army moving to the attack on Vicksburg. On the 17th of April this expedition started, and arrived at Baton Rouge on the 2d of May, having successfully traversed the whole State of Mississippi. This expedition was skillfully conducted and reflects great credit on Colonel Grierson and all of his command. The notice given the raid by the Southern press confirms our estimate of its importance. It has been one of the most brilliant cavalry exploits of the war, and will be handed down in history as an example to be imitated. Colonel Grierson's report is herewith transmitted.

I cannot close this report without an expression of thankfulness for my good fortune in being placed in co-operation with an officer of the navy who accords to every move that seems for the interest and success of our arms his hearty and energetic support. Admiral Porter and the very efficient officers under him have ever shown the greatest readiness in their co-operation, no matter what was to be done or what risk to be taken, either by their men or their vessels. Without this prompt and cordial support my movements would have been much embarrassed, if not wholly defeated.

Captain J. U. Shirk, commanding the Tuscumbia, was especially active and deserving of the highest commendation for his personal attention to the repairing of the damage done our transports by the Vicksburg batteries.

The result of this campaign has been the defeat of the enemy in five battles outside of Vicksburg; the occupation of Jackson, the capital of the State of Mississippi, and the capture of Vicksburg and its garrison and munitions of war; a loss to the enemy of thirty-seven thousand (37,000) prisoners, among whom were fifteen general officers; at least ten thousand men killed and (p. 391) wounded, and among the killed Generals Tracy, Tilghman and Green, and hundreds and perhaps thousands of stragglers, who can never be collected and reorganized. Arms and munitions of war for an army of sixty thousand men have fallen into our hands, besides a large amount of other public property, consisting of railroads, locomotives, cars, steamboats, cotton, &c., and much was destroyed to prevent our capturing it.

Our loss in the series of battles may be summed up as follows:

Killed. Wounded. Missing.

Port Gibson 130 718 5 Fourteen Mile creek (skirmish) 4 24 -- Raymond 69 341 32 Jackson 40 240 6 Champion's Hill 426 1842 189 Big Black railroad bridge 29 242 2 Vicksburg 545 3688 303

Of the wounded many were but slightly wounded, and continued on duty; many more required but a few days or weeks for their recovery. Not more than one-half of the wounded were permanently disabled.

My personal staff and chiefs of departments have in all cases rendered prompt and efficient service.

In all former reports I have failed to make mention of company A, 4th regiment Illinois cavalry volunteers, Captain S. D. Osband commanding. This company has been on duty with me as an escort company since November, 1861, and in every engagement I have been in since that time rendered valuable service, attracting general attention for their exemplary conduct, soldierly bearings and promptness. It would not be overstating the merits of this company to say that many of them would fill with credit any position in a cavalry regiment.

For the brilliant achievements recounted in this report, the Army of the Tennessee, their comrades of the Ninth Army corps, Herron's division of the Army of the Frontier, and the navy co-operating with them, deserve the highest honors their country can award.

I have the honor to be, Colonel, very respectfully your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, _Major-General United States Army_, _commanding_.

_____

_General Pemberton to General Grant._

To Headquarters, Vicksburg, MAJOR-GENERAL U. S. GRANT, July 3, 1863. Commanding United States Forces before Vicksburg.

General: I have the honor to propose to you an armistice for--hours, with a view of arranging terms for the capitulation of Vicksburg. To this end, if agreeable to you, I will (p. 392) appoint three commissioners to meet a like number to be named by yourself at such place and hour to-day as you may find convenient.

I make this proposition to save the further effusion of blood, which must otherwise be shed to a frightful extent, feeling myself fully able to maintain my position for a yet indefinite period.

This communication will be handed you under flag of truce by Major-General J. S. Bowen.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. C. PEMBERTON, _Lieutenant-General_.

_____

_General Grant to General Pemberton._

Headquarters, Department of the Tennessee, To In the Field, near Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 3, 1863. LIEUTENANT-GENERAL J. C. PEMBERTON, Commanding Confederate Forces, Vicksburg, Mississippi.

General: Your note of this date is just received, proposing an armistice for several hours for the purpose of arranging terms of capitulation through commissioners to be appointed, etc.

The useless 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 all adversaries, and I can assure you will be treated with all respect due to prisoners of war.

I do not favor the proposition of appointing commissioners to arrange terms of capitulation, because I have no terms other than those indicated above.

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, _Major-General_.

_____

_General Grant to General Pemberton._

Headquarters, Department of the Tennessee, To Near Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 3, 1863. LIEUTENANT-GENERAL J. C. PEMBERTON, Commanding Confederate Forces, Vicksburg, Mississippi.

General: 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 will march one division as a guard and take possession at 8 A.M. to-morrow. As soon as rolls can be made out and paroles 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 (p. 393) 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 be signed, however, whilst officers are present authorized to sign the roll of prisoners.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, _Major-General_.

_____

_General Pemberton to General Grant._

To Headquarters, Vicksburg, MAJOR-GENERAL U. S. GRANT, July 3, 1863. Commanding United States Forces before Vicksburg.

General: 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 defence 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.

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. C. PEMBERTON, _Lieutenant-General_.

_____

_General Grant to General Pemberton._

Headquarters, Department of the Tennessee, To Before Vicksburg, July 4, 1863. LIEUTENANT-GENERAL J. C. PEMBERTON, Commanding Confederate Forces, Vicksburg, Mississippi.

General: 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 (p. 394) officer and man with a parole signed by himself, which with the completion of the roll of prisoners, 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 for each brigade to march to the front of the lines now occupied by it, and stack arms at 10 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.

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, _Major-General_.

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_General Pemberton to General Grant._

To Headquarter, Vicksburg, MAJOR-GENERAL U. S. GRANT, July 4, 1863. Commanding United States Forces before Vicksburg.

General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this day, and in reply to say that the terms proposed by you are accepted.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. C. PEMBERTON, _Lieutenant-General_.

_____

_General Grant to the Assistant Adjutant-General._

Headquarters, Military Division of the Mississippi, To In the Field, Chattanooga, Tennessee, COLONEL J. C. KELTON, December 23d, 1863. Assistant Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C.