burst in the air, with fiery flashes and streams, forming, with the illumined arena of the conflict below, a rare and awfully grand pyrotechnic display. General Grant resumed the operation of constructing parallels, to approach sufficiently near the rebel fortifications to take them by a sudden dash. As the United States troops advanced, the rebels retired, constructing inner lines of defenses as the outer ones were taken. On the 28th of June ours were thirteen hundred yards nearer the city than the original works. As these lines were advanced on all sides at the same time, the rebel area of operations became more and more circumscribed. During this bombardment every effort was made to reduce the works without unnecessarily damaging the city. Affirmed a close observer of the siege-"At no time has General Grant sought the destruction of the city. He wishes to spare it for the city itself, and because it contains women and children. As long as the rebel army confines its operations outside its limits, the city will remain intact. If it had been necessary to destroy the city, our guns now in range could have accomplished the work. The capture of Vicksburg is a foregone conclusion. We get the evidence of the fact from the rebels themselves. A few days ago, a rebel mail was captured coming out from Vicksburg, in which were letters from prominent men in the rebel army, who state that they cannot hold out much longer, and informing their friends that they expect to spend their summer in Northern prisons. Better evidence of the condition of things in the rebel army can not be desired. So far as the siege of this place goes, I presume the people at home, in their easy chairs, think it ought to have been finished long since. To such let me say, could they be present here, and make a tour of the country in this vicinity, and see the configuration of the country, its broken topography, its high and abrupt hills, deep gullies, gorges, and dilapidated roads, they would then realize the difficulties of the work. Then there is a large army to feed, great materiel to be brought into position, GENERAL GRANT CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS. 303 all of which demands large transportation, and the united efforts of thousands of men. General Grant acts independently of opinions of the public. He fully realizes the responsibility of his position, and, in the duty before him, he is determined to accomplish his work with as great an economy of human life as possible. He feels now that the prize is within his grasp, and a little patience will achieve all, which, if rashly sought, might cost the lives of the brave army with whom he has gained so many victories. General Sherman's expedition returned without meeting near the doomed city the army under General Joseph E. Johnston. The commander obtained sufficient intelligence of his movements to decide General Grant's plan of operations after the reduction of Vicksburg. The bombardment and approaches steadily progressed, and it was whispered about among the troops that on the following anniversary of the day of Independence a grand assault was to be made, to take the place by storm. The rebels at least suspected it; for, on the morning of the previous day, July 3, 1863, a flag of truce left the rebel lines, with a sealed communication for General Grant, borne by General Bowen and Colonel Montgomery. The bearers of the document having been taken to the nearest general head-quarters, a courier was at once dispatched, with all possible haste, to the chief commanding officer. On opening the document, General Grant found the following communication, addressed to himself : HEAD-QUARTERS, VICKSBURG, July 3, 1863. Major-General GRANT, commanding United States forces: - GENERAL:-I have the honor to propose to you an armistice for hours, with a view to arranging terms for the capitulation of Vicksburg. To this end, if agreeable to you, I will appoint three commissioners, to meet a like number to be named by yourself, at such place and hour 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 a flag of truce, by Major-General James Bowen. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. C. PEMBERTON. To this General Grant replied as follows: HEAD-QUARTERS Department of TENNESSEE, IN THE FIELD, NEAR VICKSBURG, July 3, 1863. Lieutenant-General J. C. PEMBERTON, commanding Confederate forces, &c. : GENERAL:-Your note of this date, just received, proposes an armistice of several hours for the purpose of arranging terms of capitulation through commissioners to be appointed, &c. The 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 them as prisoners of war. I do not favor the proposition of appointing commissioners to arrange terms of capitulation, because I have no other terms than those indicated above. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, General Bowen expressed a wish to converse with the general on this important matter; but the latter at once declined. General Bowen then requested that General Grant would meet General Pemberton on neutral ground, as more could be arranged at one personal interview than by an exchange of numerous dispatches. General Grant very readily replied he would willingly do so in person, offering to meet General Pemberton the same afternoon at three o'clock, and consult with him on the terms he would grant the garrison. This reply was placed in the hands of the rebel messengers, who, blindfolded, were conducted back to the place of entrance to the Union lines, and were there set at liberty, to return with the answer. Nothing more was now done until afternoon. The artillery reopened, and the siege went on as before. By noon, however, the general promulgated his orders, requiring a temporary cessation of hostilities. At three o'clock precisely, one gun, the prearranged signal, was fired, and immediately replied to by the enemy. General Pemberton then made his appearance on the works in McPherson's front, under a white flag, considerably on the left of what is known as Fort Hill. General Grant rode through our trenches until he came to an outlet, leading to a small green space, which had not been trod by either army. Here he dismounted, and advanced to meet Gen |