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[Inclosure No. 3.] HDQRS.
DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Brig. Gen. W. H. EMORY, GENERAL: Your dispatch
of July 3, I received by the hand of Captain Porter last evening at 5
o'clock. It is impossible for me to send to you re-enforcements in such
numbers as to change the condition of affairs in New Orleans. I do not
think, however, that the city is in peril. Some inconveniences and
annoyances must necessarily ensue from the operations of the enemy while
the bulk of our forces are engaged at this point. We shall, however, be
released in a few days. The navy must patrol
the river, and prevent, as far as possible, the formation of any position
which shall imperil our communication with the city; but it is not
possible to prevent a chance shot being fired into our boats occasionally.
This occurred constantly on the river while our troops were in New Orleans
in force, and cannot be prevented, except by such operations as will
result in expelling the enemy altogether from the country bordering upon
the river. I am confident that this will be effected in a few days. The prisoners referred
to in your letter are doubtless the garrison and convalescents captured at
Brashear City. This was a most discreditable affair to the officers in
command. It would have been impossible, with any watchfulness whatever,
for the enemy to have prepared his rafts and crossed the waters above that
city without such notice as to have enabled them to escape. They had a
railroad at their command and transports and gunboats on the water. The
seditious language said to have been used by the prisoners I do not
understand. Affairs here are
progressing favorably, but slowly, and in a few days will result in a
successful issue. The behavior of Major Bullen and the troops under his
command at Donaldsonville was most creditable, and has greatly encouraged
the spirit of the army. It is a compensation for the disgrace that rests
upon Brashear. I will communicate with you again to-morrow. I have the honor to be, with
much respect, your obedient servant, N.
P. BANKS, Major-General,
Commanding.
[Inclosure No. 4.] HEADQUARTERS
DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS, Major-General BANKS, GENERAL: The paroled
prisoners have come in, and my information is as nearly positive as human
testimony can make it that the enemy are 13,000 strong, and they are
fortifying the whole country as they march from Brashear to this place,
and are steadily advancing. I respectfully suggest
that, unless Port Hudson be already taken, you can only save this city by
sending me re-enforcements immediately and at any cost. It is a choice
between Port Hudson and New Orleans. The attempt to raise
troops here is futile. There are at least 10,000 fighting men in this city
(citizens), and I do not doubt, from what I see, that these men will, at
the first approach of the enemy within view of the city, be against us to
a man. I have the honor to be,
&c., W.
H. EMORY, Brigadier-General,
Commanding. [Inclosure No. 5.] HDQRS.
DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Brig. Gen. W. H. EMORY, GENERAL: The commanding
general has this moment received your dispatch of the 4th instant, by the
hands of First Lieutenant Woodrow, Seventeenth Infantry, acting
aide-de-camp. The general directs me to say that operations here can last
but two or three days longer at the outside, and then the whole command
will be available to drive back the enemy, who is now annoying our
communications and threatening New Orleans. We are to-day effecting the
passage of the ditch in front of the right priest-cap. When this operation
is decided, the commanding general will re-enforce you with the utmost
promptitude, and with a large force; but he regards New Orleans as safe,
if the navy does its duty in preventing the passage of the river. The
general deems your force, though obviously too small, large enough to hold
the works on the right bank of the river and to keep New Orleans quiet.
Much, in his opinion, very much, will depend upon the management of
affairs in the city quietly and with a firm hand. The people of New
Orleans understand, or ought to understand, well that their conduct upon
this occasion will be the measure of their treatment hereafter by the
military authorities of the United States. Very respectfully, your
obedient servant, RICHARD
B. IRWIN, Assistant
Adjutant-General. [Inclosure No. 6.] HDQRS.
DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Rear-Admiral D. G. FARRAGUT, Commanding, &c.
: Your letter of July 2 I
received at 5 o'clock last evening. It had been delayed by some mischance
spun its way hither. A subsequent letter, relating to the
same subject, was received and has been answered. The result at
Donaldsonville was very gratifying, and I feel greatly indebted to the
officers of the navy for the assistance they gave and the distinguished
part they played in this most creditable affair. General Emory writes
me, July 3, that the rebels have fired upon our transports from a point
some few miles below Donaldsonville. They have disabled the Iberville,
which was towed back to New Orleans, and put some shots through one or two
other vessels. I desire you, if possible, to patrol the river with the
gunboats, so that our communication may be kept open for a few days
longer. This is very important. General Emory is much alarmed for the
safety of New Orleans, but I cannot think the city in any danger. It is
impossible for me just now to send him the re-enforcements he requires,
but, although their movements will occasion some inconvenience, I am quite
satisfied that there is no imminent peril. We have no news from
Grant. Affairs in the north are becoming interesting. We are progressing
favorably, but not as rapidly as I could wish, with our movements here.
Three or four days more will bring our affairs to a successful issue. I
shall be delighted to see you again. I have the honor to be, with
much respect, your obedient servant, N.
P. BANKS, Major-General
General, Commanding. ----- HDQRS.
DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, GENERAL: I have the
honor to report that the garrison of Port Hudson surrendered this
afternoon upon the terms stated in the accompanying copy of the articles
of capitulation--terms which, you will perceive, are those of an
unconditional surrender. We shall take formal possession at 7 o'clock
to-morrow morning. I inclose a copy of the
correspondence preliminary to the surrender. Very respectfully, your most
obedient servant, N.
P. BANKS, Major-General,
Commanding. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief,
Washington, D.C. [Inclosure No. 1.] HEADQUARTERS, Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS, GENERAL: Having
received information from your troops that Vicksburg has been surrendered,
I make this communication to ask you to give me the official assurance
whether this is true or not; and, if true, I ask for a cessation of
hostilities, with a view to consider terms for surrendering this position. I remain, general, very
respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANK.
GARDNER, Major-general,
Commanding C. S. Forces. [Inclosure No. 2.] HDQRS.
DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Maj. Gen. FRANK. GARDNER, GENERAL: In reply to
your communication, dated the 7th instant, by flag of truce, received a
few moments since, I have the honor to inform you that I received
yesterday morning, July 7, at 10.45 o'clock, by the gunboat General Price,
an official dispatch from Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, U. S. Army, whereof
the following is a true extract: HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS, Comdg. Department of the Gulf : GENERAL: The garrison of Vicksburg surrendered this
morning. Number of prisoners, as given by the officers, is 27,000; field
artillery, one hundred and twenty-eight pieces, and a large number of
siege guns--probably not less than eighty. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, U.S. GRANT, Major-General. I regret to say that,
under present circumstances, I cannot consistently with my duty consent to
a cessation of hostilities for the purpose you indicate. Very respectfully, your most
obedient servant, N.
P. BANKS, Major-General
General, Commanding. [Inclosure No. 3.] HEADQUARTERS,
Port Hudson, La., July 8, 1863. Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS, Comdg. U. S. Forces, near Port Hudson, La.: GENERAL: I have the
honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this date,
giving a copy of an official communication from Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant, U.S.
Army, announcing the surrender of the garrison of Vicksburg. Having defended this
position as long as I deem my duty requires, I am willing to surrender to
you, and will appoint a commission of three officers to meet a similar
commission appointed by yourself at 9 o'clock this morning, for the
purpose of agreeing upon and drawing up the terms of surrender; and for
that purpose I ask for a cessation of hostilities. Will you please
designate a point outside of my breastworks where the meeting shall be
held for this purpose? I am, general, very
respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANK.
GARDNER, Major-General,
Commanding C. S. Forces. [Inclosure No. 4.] HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES FORCES, Maj. Gen. FRANK. GARDNER, Comdg. C. S. Forces, Port Hudson, La,: GENERAL: I have the
honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this date,
stating that you are willing to surrender the garrison under your command
to the forces under my command, and that you will appoint a commission of
three officers to meet a similar commission appointed by me at 9 o'clock
this morning, for the purpose of agreeing upon and drawing up the terms of
the surrender. In reply, I have the honor to state that I have designated Brig. Gen.
Charles P. Stone, Col. Henry W. Birge, and Lieut. Col. Richard B. Irwin as
the officers to meet the commission appointed by you. They will meet your
officers at the hour designated, at a point near where the flag of truce
was received this morning. I will direct that active hostilities shall
entirely cease on my part until further notice, for the purpose stated. Very respectfully, your most
obedient servant, N.
P. BANKS, Major-General,
Commanding. [Inclosure No. 5.] Articles of capitulation proposed between the
commissioners on the part of the garrison of Port Hudson, La., and the
forces of the United States before said place, July 8, 1863. ARTICLE I. Maj. Gen. F.
Gardner surrenders to the United States forces under Major-General Banks
the place of Port Hudson and its dependencies, with its garrison,
armament, munitions, public funds, and material of war, in the condition,
as nearly as may be, in which they were at the hour of cessation of
hostilities, viz, 6 a.m., July 8, 1863. ART. II. The surrender
stipulated in Article I is qualified by no condition, save that the
officers and enlisted men composing the garrison shall receive the
treatment due to prisoners of war, according to the usages of civilized
warfare. ART. III. All private
property of officers and enlisted men shall be respected and left to their
respective owners. ART. IV. The position
of Port Hudson shall be occupied to-morrow at 7 a.m. by the forces of the
United States, and its garrison received as prisoners of war by such
general officer of the United States service as may be designated by
Major-General Banks, with the ordinary formalities of rendition. The
Confederate troops will be drawn up in line, officers in their positions,
the right of the line resting on the edge of the prairie south of the
railroad depot, the left extending in the direction of the village of Port
Hudson. The arms and colors will be piled conveniently, and will be
received by the officers of the United States. ART. V. The sick and
wounded of the garrison will be cared for by the authorities of the United
States, assisted, if desired by either party, by the medical officers of
the garrison. CHAS.
P. STONE, Brigadier-General. W.
R. MILES, Colonel,
Comdg. Right Wing of the Army, Port Hudson, La. WM.
DWIGHT, Brigadier-General. I.
G. W. STEEDMAN, Colonel,
Commanding Left Wing. HENRY
W. BIRGE, Colonel,
Commanding Third Brigade, Grover's Division. MARSHALL
J. SMITH, Lieutenant-Colonel,
and Chief of Heavy Artillery. Approved: FRANK.
GARDNER, Major-general. N.
P. BANKS, Major-General,
Commanding.
HDQRS.
DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, SIR: I have the honor
to inform you that with the post there fell into our hands over 5,500
prisoners, including 1 major-general and 1 brigadier-general, 20 pieces of
heavy artillery, 5 complete batteries, numbering 31 pieces of field
artillery, a good supply of projectiles for light and heavy guns, 44,000
pounds of cannon powder, 5,000 stand of small-arms, 150,000 rounds of
small-arms ammunition, besides a small amount of stores of various kinds. We captured also two
steamers, one of which is very valuable, and will be of great service at
this time. Upon the surrender, I
found it necessary to move at once every available man to Donaldsonville,
to dislodge the enemy, who had temporarily obstructed our communication
with New Orleans, and to drive his forces from the La Fourche district,
where he was in considerable numbers. My transportation was wholly
insufficient for its duty, and our supplies limited. I was also compelled
to garrison this post for the present by the nine-months' regiments, most
of which are of opinion that their term of service has already expired,
and the colored regiments. It became thus very difficult to remove, to
supply, or to guard my prisoners. I decided, therefore, after the post had
surrendered unconditionally, to release the noncommissioned officers and
privates upon their parole. These paroles will be taken with more than the
usual formalities. The consolidated list will be signed by the men
themselves, by Major-General Gardner, and by the officer who receives the
parole, and each man will be furnished with a duplicate parole signed by
himself, his regimental commander, and the paroling officer. The men will
then march out and disperse to their several homes. The officers will be
kept in confinement until further orders. Trusting that my course in
this matter will be approved by you and by the Department, I have the
honor to be, general, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, N.
P. BANKS, Major-General,
Commanding. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief,
Washington, D.C. |
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