“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 nine o’clock this morning, for the purpose of agreeing upon and drawing up the terms of the surrender, and for that purpose I ask for a cessation of hostilities.
“Will you please to designate a point outside of my breastworks, where the meeting shall be held for this purpose?
“I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
FRANK GARDNER, Commanding C. S. Forces.”
“Headquarters, U. S. Forces, before }
Port Hudson, July 8th, 1863. }
“To Major-General Frank Gardner, commanding Confederate States forces, Port Hudson:
“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 nine 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 Brigadier-General Charles P. Stone, Colonel Henry W. Birge, and Lieutenant-Colonel 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 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.