EXPLODING A MINE.

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charge. With a shout, almost as loud as the explosion, the troops rush into the yawning jaws of the shattered parapet, springing up the jagged cliffs and firing as they go. Volley after volley leaps up from the new-made gulf below; volley after volley dives down from the new-made capes above. A portion of our impetuous troops had forced their way in through the passage, and, as the signal came, the artillery opened along the entire line. The deep baying of the dogs of war was like the thunder muttering in the distance. The bursting of shells, the rattling of musketry, the shriek of Minnie balls, the whir of solid shot, mingled with the deep roar of the great cannon and mortars of the fleet, gave the scene an aspect of awful grandeur.

The explosion had thrown out the earth in such a way that it formed a space for the protection and play of artillery. Gen. Grant was present all the time issuing his orders. By his command a division of troops was kept under arms all night, ready for any emergency. He enjoined the utmost vigilance along the whole line.

It was now the 28th of June, and our troops had advanced thirteen hundred yards nearer the enemy's breastwork than they were when they commenced the siege. Grant was perfectly confident of success. It was a specimen of tanner-boy energy on a large scale and again, as so often before, the word "can't" was not in his dictionary. Vicksburg was to fall.

How glorious to have it fall on the then ensuing Fourth of July! Let us wait and see.

On the evening of the 3d of July, 1863, there were unmistakable indications that the rebels were about to yield. Gen. Grant received these indications with great pleasure. From the moment of his forming the settled and determined purpose to capture Vicksburg he desired to do the work, great as it was, at as little sacrifice as possible of human life. He was in no way responsible for the retention by the rebel general of the women and children in the city. He had acted throughout the entire siege on the highest considerations of duty and humanity.

At the same time he gave it to be distinctly understood that if the rebel works were not soon surrendered they would be captured by assault..

On the morning of the 3d of July a flag of truce reached the headquarters of Gen. Grant with a proposal for the appointment of commissioners of treaty from the rebel commander. The reply of the General demanded, in his accustomed frank and firm manner, the Unconditional Surrender of the Garrison and City of Vicksburg; decidedly adding that he had no other terms than these.

The deed was done. Vicksburg was captured. The Mississippi was free.

As the day advanced an interview was held, just outside the rebel works and beyond the Union lines, between Gen. Grant and Gen. Pemberton, com

GRANT AND PEMBERTON.

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mander at Vicksburg. The scene as it occurred is depicted in the accompanying engraving.

The two generals met under the branches of a large oak tree. With a noble sense of delicacy which does him great honor, Gen. Grant withdrew from his attendant generals, in order that his interview with the rebel chief might not subject him to unnecessary scrutiny and humiliation. What a scene for the evening before the memorable 4th of July! Both these men had been born in free States, joining each -other-Grant in Ohio, Pemberton in Pennsylvania. Both had been admitted as cadets into the same military academy of the United States, at West Point. Both had served together in the same conquering Union army in the fields of Texas and Mexico. Both had returned to the same native country to enjoy her prosperity and happiness. But here the scene had changed. At this point they parted. Grant had maintained his integrity to his country, her government and her flag. Pemberton had become a traitor to them all! One was now being exalted to the pinnacle of fame by his patriotism, on this natal day of his country's independence. The other was humbled in the dust by the overthrow of his treason, by disaster to his traitorous arms, and the unconditional surrender of his long-boasted stronghold of the Rebellion.

Few such scenes as these have ever occurred in history. The ground where the two generals stood