Pemberton's Decision

[MikeyB]

Surrendering on July 4th must certainly have had propaganda and morale advantages for the Union. So my question is - Did Pemberton not appreciate this/care/think it would be that big of a deal? Or did Grant not let him surrender on July 3rd or July 5th?

 

[hoosier]

According to the author of the Wikipedia article on the siege of Vicksburg, Pemberton hoped that if he surrendered on July 4, he might get "more sympathetic" terms from the United States.

The author did not indicate how well Pemberton was satisfied with the degree of sympathy included in the terms he actually got.

 

[MikeyB]

According to the author of the Wikipedia article on the siege of Vicksburg, Pemberton hoped that if he surrendered on July 4, he might get "more sympathetic" terms from the United States.

The author did not indicate how well Pemberton was satisfied with the degree of sympathy included in the terms he actually got.

Thanks. That's interesting, I had not considered that possibility.

 

[Lampasas Bill]

Pemberton was well aware that his lines were being undermined at several points and as soon as the charges could be sprung another bloody assault might be launched. He began his negotiations on July 3rd, but they continued long into the night. The following article gives a good detailed account of the entire surrender process:

https://www.historynet.com/ulysses-s-grant-the-unconditional-surrender-continues.htm

 

[jackt62]

Just the luck of the timing.

 

[dlofting]

There were a lot of important tactical moves that Pemberton could have considered in the fight before and up to in Vicksburg. When he surrendered was not one them.

 

[Saruman]

Surrendering on July 4th must certainly have had propaganda and morale advantages for the Union. So my question is - Did Pemberton not appreciate this/care/think it would be that big of a deal? Or did Grant not let him surrender on July 3rd or July 5th?

According to a 1864 NY Times article, Pemberton said: "If it should be asked why the Fourth of July was selected as the day for the surrender, the answer is obvious. I believed that upon that day I should obtain better terms. Well aware of the vanity of our foes, I knew they would attach vast importance to entrance on the Fourth 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."

 

[Bovina17]

Somewhere on the "other side", Pemberton is still waiting for Johnston.