University of Notre Dame
Rare Books and Special Collections
Return Home
Topical Collections
Personal and Family Papers
Military Records
Letters and Correspondences
Anderson-Reavis Correspondence
Cicero R. Barker
Mary Bettle
Caley Family Correspondence
William Combs
Mary Crowell
Henry S. Figures
M. A. Harvey
Ora W. Harvey
John M. Jackson
James B. Jordan
Henry H. Maley
Christopher C. McKinney
Meek Family Correspondence
morgan Family Correspondence
James Parkison
Peed Family Letters
G. Julian Pratt
John Pugh
Harrison E. Randall
Read Family Correspondence
Samuel T. Reeves
Harrison E. savage
Shriver Family Correspondence
Shriver Family Correspondence
Sillers-Holmes Family Correspondence
Taylor Family Correspondence
Thomas Family Correspondence
Herbert Benezet Tyson
Isaac Ira White
Diaries and Journals
Miscellaneous Manuscripts

  (transcriptions only)

Technical Details
Manuscripts of the American Civil War
Thomas Family Correspondence

< previous letter |  index  | next letter >


Document Type: Autograph Letter Signed

Author: George Thomas
Date: July 4, 1863
Place: Vicksburg, Mississippi
To: Minerva Thomas

Physical Description: Ink on paper; 2 pages (25 x 20 cm.) on 1 folded sheet

Number: MSN/CW 5014-44

Transcribed by: Brandy Hutton and Jeremy Kiene, 2000-01, 2006


Transcription
(Please click on our Technical Details button at left
for more information on transcription conventions,
image scanning conventions, etc.)

Page 1      Images: 150 DPI100 DPI72 DPI

Vicksburg Miss
July the 4th 1863

Dear Minerva

     The long interval of doubt and anxiety is passed. Long Er you get this you will have heard the glad news that Vicksburg has fallen. Yesterday morning about nine oclock they raised the white flag on their fortifications and under its protection sent Embassadors to Gen Grants Head Quarters and proposed a conditional surrender What the conditions were I do not know but Genl Grants reply was "Unconditional". The Embassadors were sent back and fireing was resumed In the Evening again fireing ceased under a flag of truce and hostilities were not again resumed This morning they formally copitulated and our troops have taken possession of it This is an Event that will give joy to the nation Ten thousand anxious hearts will be relieved and ten thousand prayers will assend to Heaven in thanksgiving for the Event. I hope it is the begining of the rapid decline of the power of the Rebellion If it should be thus the 4th of July will be remembered in future years with a duble veneration

Page 2

     In the army I have often advised you that we could see but a short distance ahead with regard to our movements. It is so now. Vicksburg is taken and this large army will not be kept here on these hills and in these Hollows The health of the troop demand a change and we Expect to start tomorow for Black river which is some fifteen miles to our rear Whether we will be Encamped there permanently (that is for a few weeks) or not I have but little idea But I hardly think they will undertake an active campaign at this time It is very hot and dry and the dust will make it very disagreeable marching
     I must close I am tired Write soon Remember me to all

Your affectionate Husband
George Thomas

It is reported that there was 27,000 prisoners taken

     Images: 150 DPI100 DPI72 DPI

Envelope, front     Images: 150 DPI100 DPI72 DPI

Envelope, back     Images: 150 DPI100 DPI72 DPI

 
Transcription last modified: 27 Jun 2006 at 02:02 PM EDT


< previous letter |  index  | next letter >



  Related Collections:   Colonial & Revolutionary America Early National & Antebellum America American Civil War Modern America Sports

Rare Books and Special Collections

University of Notre Dame
Copyright © 2006, 2009, 2011

Dept. of Special Collections
University of Notre Dame
102 Hesburgh Library
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Telephone: 574-631-0290
Fax: 574-631-6308
E-Mail: rarebook @ nd.edu