near Vicksburg, July 4th, 1863. }
“‘Major-General N. P. Banks, commanding Department of the Gulf:
“‘General: The garrison of Vicksburg surrendered this morning. The number of prisoners, as given by the officer, is twenty-seven thousand, field artillery one hundred and twenty-eight pieces, and a large number of siege guns, probably not less than eighty.
“‘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 obedient servant,
N. P. BANKS.”
The following further correspondence then took place:
“Port Hudson, July 8th, 1863.
“General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this date, giving a copy of an official communication from Major-General U. S. Grant, United States Army, announcing the surrender of Vicksburg.