The useless effusion of blood you propose stopping by this course can be ended at any time you may choose, by the unconditional surrender of the city and garrison.
Men who have shown so much endurance and courage as those now in Vicksburg, will always challenge the respect of an adversary, and I can assure you will be treated with all the respect due to prisoners of war.
I do not favor the proposition of appointing commissioners to arrange the terms of capitulation, because I have no terms other than those indicated above." At three o'clock Pemberton appeared at the point suggested in my verbal message, accompanied by the same officers who had borne his letter of the morning.

Generals Ord, McPherson, Logan and A.J.Smith, and several officers of my staff, accompanied me.

Our place of meeting was on a hillside within a few hundred feet of the rebel lines.

Near by stood a stunted oak-tree, which was made historical by the event.

It was but a short time before the last vestige of its body, root and limb had disappeared, the fragments taken as trophies.