The Surrender of Port Hudson (October, 1863)

Surrender of Port Hudson (1863)

Source: The Friend: Honolulu. October, 1863. Pages 74-75.

Vicksburg had fallen on the 4th of July. The news soon reached the fleets before Fort Hudson, whereupon salutes were fired both on land and water; the bands of the different regiments perforated in their best style the different patriotic airs So well known to the American people. The soldiers and sailors were almost ungovernable with enthusiasm. Joy resounded everywhere throughout the camps. The rebels were startled, and anxious as to the cause of so much and so enthusiastic cheering on our side, but were destined to wait in terrible suspense as to the interpretation of what was going on. At length, the rebels and our troops, being in proximity to each other, conversation was indulged in without danger to either side. It was difficult for the rebels to believe that Vicksburg had surrendered. Perhaps this difficulty was strengthened by the fact that the surrender of Port Hudson depended in some measure upon that of Vicksburg. But curiosity increased, and at length, towards evening on the 7th, resolved upon knowing the truth of the rumor which had spread throughout their lines, an officer raised himself above the works, and called out to one of the Union officers, asking, "What are you making all that noise about?" The answer was, "Because we have taken Vicksburg." The officer was as doubting as had been his soldiers before him. He insisted upon not believing the news, and on being asked what testimony he would accept on the subject so as to be convinced of its truth, he responded, "Nothing but a copy of the dispatch,or some trustworthy authority." The Union officer then procured a copy of Gen. Grant's official dispatch, and passed it over the parapets to him, assuring him at the some tune, on the honor of a soldier, the dispatch was genuine, as he copied it with his own band. Having read the little document the rebel officer said he was satisfied of its truthfulness, and believed it to be useless for Port Hudson to attempt to hold out longer. 

The night passed away; the rebels had eaten their last crust; they had eaten up their mules and were entertaining themselves with a savory dish of dead rats. They were, in short, out of provisions, and would probably have surrendered the position at any rate before many days. The dispatch from Gen. Grant which they had read, had been studied by Gen. Gardiner, and at 2 o'clock next morning, the 4th July, a parley was sounded from the rebel works, which was soon answered, and an officer came out with a dispatch from Gen. Gardiner, asking on what terms a surrender would be accepted. As soon as possible the message was taken to General Banks' headquarters, and in due time an answer was returned to the effect that none but an unconditional surrender would be accepted. The terms were accepted by Gen. Gardiner, a short time was asked for in which to make the necessary arrangements. Twenty-four hours were given for that purpose, but General Gardner was ready in a shorter time than that, for at 12 o'clock, noon, on the 4th of July, our forces entered into Port Hudson, the No. 2 Gibraltar of the Mississippi. As the victors entered, they found the rebels all drawn up in line of battle with arms stacked in front of them, and the hungry soldiers of General Gardiner were soon well fed from the Commissariat of the Union army, from which six thousand rations were drawn. The number of rebel soldiers drawn up in line, when the surrender took place, was about 4,000. In addition to this number there was about 1,500 sick and wounded; the wounded numbered about 500. The wounds are generally very severe, in the head, and by the bullets of our sharp-shooters. Our batteries had done a great deal of damage, having destroyed an immense amount of stores. The United States flag was run up at nine o'clock, on Thursday morning, the 9th July, and was saluted by the fleets above and below the position. There has been terrible sickness in the garrison, and almost total destitution of medicine. They suffered terribly from this cause. There was a good supply of ammunition, all of which fell into our hands.