I myself saw our men taking bread from their haversacks and giving it to the enemy they had so recently been engaged in starving out.

It was accepted with avidity and with thanks.
Pemberton says in his report: "If it should be asked why the 4th of July was selected as the day for surrender, the answer is obvious.

I believed that upon that day I should obtain better terms.

Well aware of the vanity of our foe, I knew they would attach vast importance to the entrance on the 4th of July into the stronghold of the great river, and that, to gratify their national vanity, they would yield then what could not be extorted from them at any other time." This does not support my view of his reasons for selecting the day he did for surrendering.

But it must be recollected that his first letter asking terms was received about 10 o'clock A.M., July 3d.