Thursday, July 4, 2013

Major General Ulysses S. Grant to Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton, July 3, 1863

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,
In the Field, near Vicksburg, Miss., July 3, 1863.

Lieut. Gen. J. C. PEMBERTON,
Commanding Confederate Forces, &c.:

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, &c.

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 an adversary, and I can assure you will be treated with all the 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.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 1 (Serial No. 36),  p. 60

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