The Cheyenne Leader

Grant's Speeches.

On Sunday morning the Argus printed what they call Grant's speeches; but it seems to have unaccountably omitted one or two which, in order to assist that paper, and make the list complete, we have hunted up and present below. The first is a written speech—it does not deserve the name of "oration"—nevertheless such as it is we give it as follows:

HD. Q'RS ARMY IN THE FIELD,

Camp near Donelson, Feb. 16, 1862.

Gen. S. B. Buckner, Confed. Army

SIR:—Yours of this date proposing armistice and appointment of Commissioners to settle terms of capitulation, is just received. No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

Your ob't serv't,

U. S. GRANT,

Brig. Gen.

While upon this subject we may as well give the response to this speech, which is as follows:

HD. Qr's, Donelson, )

February 16, 1862.

To Brig. Gen. U. S. Grant, U.S. Army

—SIR: The distribution of the forces under my command, incident to an unexpected change of commanders, and the overwhelming force under your command, compel me, notwithstanding the brilliant success of the Confederate arms yesterday, to accept the ungenerous and unchivalrous terms which you propose.

I am, sir,

Your very ob't serv't,

S. B. BUCKNER,

Brig. Gen.

Some time afterward General Grant was visited in his camp before Vicksburg by General Pemberton, who was anxious to know upon what terms that city could be relieved from a siege just then pending. Here are the speeches:

"Pemberton—General Grant, I meet you in order to arrange terms for capitulation. What terms do you demand?"

"Grant—Unconditional surrender."

"Pemberton—Unconditional surrender! Never, so long as I have a man left me. I will fight rather."

"Grant—Very well."

But General Pemberton reflected a little, and as soon as the full force of General Grant's brief speech became clear to his mind, he too, made haste to comply.

Again, on the road to Richmond, after the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, General Grant indulged in a speech or despatch in these tolerably clear words:

"We have now ended the sixth day of very heavy fighting, and the result to this time is much in our favor. * * * I propose to fight it out on this line, if it takes all summer."

We believe General Lee was in no doubt as to the meaning of this speech. If he was, these doubts were settled by the next, which we shall quote of General Grant's speeches. The scene this time was at Appomattox Court House:

"I propose to receive the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia upon the following terms."