Human nature
could endure no longer, and on the morning of the 3rd of July white
flags appeared upon the ramparts.
Immediately the roar of cannon ceased, and silence fell on city and
camp. After the six weeks' inferno it seemed to the racked nerves
and aching ears of the inhabitants as if the silence might be felt,
as if the peace wrapped them about like a soft robe. The relief was
so great that many who had endured the weeks of torture dry-eyed
now burst into tears. But they were healing tears.
Under a lonely tree, a few hundred yards beyond the Confederate lines,
Grant met General John C. Pemberton, the defender of Vicksburg. The
two men had fought side by side in the Mexican War, and had been
friends. Now although divided by cruel strife they shook hand as
of old. But memories of bygone days did not soften Grant's heart.
His terms were hard. Once more he demanded unconditional surrender.
And Pemberton, knowing that resistance was impossible, yielded.
Next day the surrender was accomplished, and thirty thousand men
became prisoners of war. Before noon the Union flag was flying over
the Court House. Thus the "Yanks" celebrated the "glorious Fourth"
in Vicksburg, as they had said they would do. But there was no
noisy rejoicing. The Federals took possession almost in silence,
for they had too much admiration for their gallant foe to wish to
give them pain.
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