Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 1

[380] but, to counteract this, a story was circulated that Pemberton was sending to ask Grant's permission for the removal of the sick and wounded to some point outside the lines. Bowen was received by General A. J. Smith, and expressed a strong desire to converse with Grant; this, however, was not allowed; he then suggested that it would be well if Grant and Pemberton could meet. Grant, therefore, sent a verbal message that, if Pemberton wished to see him, an interview could be had between the lines, in McPherson's front, at three o'clock that afternoon. The written reply to Pemberton was as follows:

‘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 the 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 the terms of capitulation, because I have no terms other than those indicated above.’

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Pemberton proceeded to the front, accompanied by Bowen and Colonel Montgomery. With Grant were Generals Ord, McPherson, Logan, and A. J. Smith, and several members of Grant's staff. The two commanders met under a tree on a hillside, within two hundred feet of the rebel line. The works on both sides were crowded with unarmed men, lying on their faces, or hanging