Grant Why Was Grant Only Willing to Accept Unconditional Surrender?

[gem]

Why was Grant Only Willing to Accept Unconditional Surrender?

 

[67th Tigers]

At Fort Donelson? Because General CF Smith told him to write that.

 

[gem]

At Fort Donelson? Because General CF Smith told him to write that.

That's interesting I never heard he was told to write that.

 

[Study the Past]

Grant had a better publicist than others, they were thinking about the big picture.

 

[archieclement]

Why was Grant Only Willing to Accept Unconditional Surrender?

It wasnt something he always insisted, at Vicksburg and Appomattox there were terms allowed.

He might have had the better publicist, as Adm Foote had made the demand at Fort Henry, and isn't as remembered for doing so......

 

[GrantCottage1885]

Grant would state that he chose to face the larger force at Donelson because he knew the commanders from the Mexican War (Pillow & Buckner) stating that "Knowledge of that kind goes far toward determining a move like this." I think the terms were largely tactical as he had the enemy in a position that he felt he could force unconditional surrender. General Smith is quoted as responding to Grant when asked what terms to offer, depending on the source, either "No terms to the damned rebels!" or "I'll have no terms with Rebels with guns in their hands, my terms are unconditional and immediate surrender." Grant wrote down the now famous "Unconditional Surrender" response to Buckner and General Smith approved. Grant was prepared to "move immediately upon your works" because he was aware the garrison was escaping. I do not think the terms were motivated in any form by a concern for appearances, if this were so Grant could have forced the Confederates to participate in a humiliating surrender ceremony which he did not do. I think if anything Grant's terms were a reflection of how he saw the enemy as rebels against the government and not a recognized military force of a sovereign nation. By not having the surrender ceremony he conveyed a similar message that he would not unnecessarily humiliate those rebellious Americans.

 

[2/241]

any General wil accept "uncontitional surrender"

it is the job of any general

 

[Cavalry Charger]

"there was another side to Grant that was just as important: He was a master of the art of surrender. As the byproduct of a string of battlefield victories, he forced the unconditional surrender of three enemy armies, something no other general officer in American history ever accomplished — not Dwight Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, George Washington or Winfield Scott.

"Unconditional Surrender Grant" was largely a legend created by the Northern press, but it served him well. He never took credit for coining the phrase that first made him famous, and he remained the same man after Donelson as he had been before."

In terms of the OP, this is a really interesting article that gives an insight into Grant at this initial moment of surrender:

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/...-unconditional-surrender-begins-fort-donelson

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

Good article, thank you for posting.

 

[Jamieva]

It's quick and to the point. You don't stand around wasting time negotiating every facet of the surrender. While you are negotating, the side that is about to surrender could be just delaying to get reinforcements, find a way to break out etc

 

[67th Tigers]

That's interesting I never heard he was told to write that.

Slightly hyperbolic on my part, but basically correct.

Major Cheairs came into Lauman's picket line with the surrender offer. He was taken to General Smith who declared at his HQ that only unconditional surrender was acceptable, stating; "I make no terms with Rebels with arms in their hands—my terms are unconditional and immediate surrender!"

Smith escorted Cheairs to Grant's HQ. Grant was asleep, and after waiting for Grant to dress, Smith told Grant; "There's something for you to read, General Grant," and handed Grant the message. Grant read it and asked Smith "What answer shall I send to this, General Smith?" Smith's reply was "No terms to the damned rebels". Grant laughed with Smith's reply, and then wrote that in his own language.

(see Brinton's memoirs for the only primary source on this meeting.).

 

[Jimklag]

At Fort Donelson? Because General CF Smith told him to write that.

Not exactly - Smith said to Grant that that's what he (Smith) would say if he was writing it.

 

[damYankee]

Because he could

 

[JOHN42768]

It is the best position to be taken if need be to seal the deal. Offering anything only would have led to more being asked for.

 

[diane]

GrantsCottage is right - Grant made that demand the way he made it because he knew the commanders at Ft Donelson and they knew him.