HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE
TENN., Vicksburg, Miss., July 8, 1863.
Maj. Gen. J. B.
MCPHERSON, Comdg. Seventeenth Army Corps:
GENERAL: There
apparently being some misunderstanding between Lieutenant-General Pemberton and
the paroling officers engaged in issuing paroles to the prisoners, and Major
[N. G.] Watts, commissioner for the exchange of prisoners, apparently having
the idea that his presence here makes it necessary that he should receipt all
rolls to make the parole binding, I will give you a line of policy to pursue.
The terms which I
proposed to General Pemberton were free from ambiguity, and were accepted in
unmistakable language. That acceptance alone made the whole garrison prisoners
of war, who could not properly be placed on military duty until properly
exchanged, even if they should escape before being paroled or enrolled. No
further receipt than General Pemberton's letter of acceptance of terms is
necessary to bind the Confederate authorities to acknowledge the entire
garrison of Vicksburg on the morning of the 4th instant prisoners of war. The
only object in issuing rolls made out is that the Government may have something
in a compact form, which will be recognized, to enable them to negotiate for
the exchange of prisoners hereafter. I do not regard it as essential that Major
Watts should sign the rolls, so long as they are signed by brigade or
regimental commanders. Major Watts, with the balance, is at present a prisoner
of war.
U.S. GRANT.
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