Page:History of the Forty-eighth Regiment, M.V.M. during the Civil War (IA historyoffortyei00plumm).pdf/94

 into our lines and fraternized with us as socially as though no state of war ever existed between the two sections of the country, and one officer expressed the wish that the war could now close and the North and South combine and whip out England; his reason being "that England had not recognized the independence of the Confederacy after the Trent affair."

July 9. The 48th was in line promptly at 4.30 this morning, in accordance with orders, but was obliged to wait until nearly 10 o'clock before commencing to march into Port Hudson, en route for Donaldsonville, at which hour the 48th with the Massachusetts 49th and 21st Maine took up the line of march to the landing and embarked on board steamer "Louisian Belle" late in the afternoon after the ceremony of surrender, which was very short. The rebels were drawn up in line with Gen. Gardner at their head, the right resting near the railroad station. When the command "ground arms" was given every man placed his musket upon the ground. It was a very affecting sight, and there was no man in the victorious army who did not experience a feeling of pity go out to the brave men who had been compelled to surrender after so long and so brilliant defense. Gen. Gardner tendered his sword to Gen. Andrews who declined to receive it. The rebel flag was hauled down from the flagstaff where it so defiantly floated through the siege. A salute was fired by the naval battery, the stars and stripes run up. The garrison filed off as prisoners of war, and all was over.

More than 6,000 rebels surrendered. The soldiers were parolled but the officers were held as prisoners of war. Twenty pieces of heavy artillery and more than 30 pieces of field artillery were captured. The loss of