“To Major-General Banks, commanding United States forces near Port Hudson:
“General: Having received information from your troops that Vicksburg has been surrendered, I make this communication to request 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 the consideration of terms for surrendering this position.
“I am, General, very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
FRANK GARDNER, Major-General.”
To which General Banks thus replied
“Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, }
before Port Hudson, July 8th, 1863. }
“To Major-General Frank Gardner, commanding C. S. forces, Port Hudson:
“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 7th, at 10.45, by the gunboat General Price, an official despatch from Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, United States Army, whereof the following is a true extract:
“‘Headquarters, Department of the Tennessee, }