Anderson proposed that there be a ceasefire until five o'clock that day to allow the crew of the Silver Cloud to carry every survivor, white and black, aboard the ship. Ferguson was initially surprised that any blacks were alive. A nearby wounded Negro, Sgt. Benjamin Robinson confirmed that he was still alive. When Anderson agreed to move all Confederate troops back from the outer perimeter of the fort, Ferguson accepted the proposal, although he was perturbed when he learned that no one, including Captain Young, knew how many men still lived. Ferguson returned to his ship, and set about bringing all survivors aboard.[1]