Ulysses S. Grant, in the dark uniform on the left, (April 27, 1822 - July 23, 1885) was commander of the Union Army and the 18th President of the United States. John Clifford Pemberton, leaning against the tree (August 10, 1814 - July 13, 1881) was a career United States Army officer who served as a Confederate general during the American Civil War. In this illustration Grant and Pemberton meet to discuss the surrender of Vicksburg. The Siege of Vicksburg lasted from May 18 - July 4, 1863.