534

THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN.

I shall regard them as having been rejected, and shall act accordingly. Should these termsbe accepted, white flags should be displayed along your lines to prevent such of my troopsas 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 betweenthe soldiers of the two armies, on picket and where the lines w r ere closetogether. All rebels were known as “Johnnies”; all Union troops as“Yanks.” Often “Johnny” would call, “Well, Yank, when are you cominginto town?” The reply was sometimes: “We propose to celebrate the 4thof July there.” Sometimes it would be: “We always treat our prisoners withkindness and do not want to hurt them”; or, “We are holding you as prison-ers of war while you are feeding yourselves.” The garrison, from the com-manding general down, undoubtedly expected an assault on the 4th. Theyknew from the temper of their men it would be successful when made, andthat would be a greater humiliation than to surrender. Besides it would beattended with severe loss to them.

The Vicksburg paper, which we received regularly through the courtesyof the rebel pickets, said prior to the 4th, in speaking of the “Yankee” boastthat they would take dinner in Vicksburg that day, that the best receipt forcooking rabbit was, “ First ketch your rabbit.” The paper at this time, andfor some time previous, was printed on the plain side of wall paper. Thelast was issued on the 4th and announced that we had “ caught our rabbit.”

I have no doubt that Pemberton commenced his correspondence on the 3dfor the twofold purpose; first, to avoid an assault, which he knew would besuccessful, and second, to prevent the capture taking place on the greatnational holiday,—the anniversary of the Declaration of American Independ-ence. Holding out for better terms, as he did, he defeated his aim iu thelatter particular.

At the 4th, at the appointed hour, the garrison of Vicksburg marched outof their works, and formed line in front, stacked arms, and marched back ingood order. Our whole army present witnessed this scene without cheering.

Logan’s division, which had approached nearest the rebel works, was thefirst to march in, and the flag of one of the regiments of his division was soonfloating over the court-house. Our soldiers were no sooner inside the linosthan the two armies began to fraternize. Our men had had full rations fromthe time the siege commenced to the close. The enemy had been suffering,particularly toward the last. I myself saw our men taking bread from theirhaversacks and giving it to the enemy they had so recently been engaged instarving out. It was accepted with avidity and with thanks.

Pemberton says in his report: “ If it should be asked why the 4tli of Julywas selected as the day for surrender, the answer is obvious. I believed thatupon that day I should obtain better terms. Well aware of the vanity of ourfoe, I knew they would attach vast importance to the entrance, on the 4th ofJuly, into the stronghold of the great river, and that, to gratify their nationalvanity, they would yield then what could not be extorted from them at anyother time.” This does not support my view of his reasons for selecting the