General Grant replied that Pemberton could "stop the useless effusion of blood" at any time, by unconditionally surrendering the city. He guaranteed the Southern soldiers would be treated with all the respect due to prisoners of war. But he noted there was no need for a meeting of representatives to arrange for terms of capitulation, because he had no terms other than unconditional surrender.
With his letter of reply Grant also sent a verbal message, asking Pemberton to meet him between the lines at 3 o'clock, that afternoon.
At 3 o'clock a single shot from the Union batteries was answered by a reply from the rebel works. General Pemberton emerged slowly from his lines, and General Grant rode through an opening in the Union trenches. Other officers present were General McPherson and General A. J. Smith on the Union side and General Bowen and Colonel Montgomery representing the Confederates. At that meeting it was agreed a truce would continue as long as the discussions continued. General Grant promised to give Pemberton his final propositions by 10 o'clock tonight.
After the meeting Grant called his commanders together, and after consultation with them, sent a letter to Pemberton:
"In conformity with agreement of this afternoon I will submit the following proposition for the surrender of the city of Vicksburg, public stores, etc. On your accepting the terms proposed I will march in one division as a guard, and take possession at 8 a.m. tomorrow. As soon as rolls can be made out and paroles signed by officers and men, you will be allowed to march out of our lines, the officers taking with them their side arms and clothing, and the field, staff, and cavalry officers one horse each. The rank and file will be allowed all their clothing, but no other property. If these conditions are accepted, any amount of rations you may deem necessary can be taken from the stores you now have, and also the necessary cooking utensils for preparing them. Thirty wagons also, counting two-horse or mule teams as one, will be allowed to transport such articles as cannot be carried along. The same conditions will be allowed to all sick and wounded officers and soldiers as fast as they become able to travel. The paroles for these latter must be signed, however, whilst officers present are authorized to sign the roll of prisoners."
These terms were subsequently modified to permit each brigade of the Confederate army to march to the front of the position occupied by it and stack arms, after which the men were to return to the inside of the works, where they were to remain until all were paroled.
