Deborah
NB Forrest's farewell
Wed May 2 11:35:54 2001


HEADQUARTERS FORREST'S CAVALRY CORPS,

"Gainesville, Ala., May 9, 1865

Soldiers: By an agreement made between
Lieutenant-General
Taylor, commanding the Department of Alabama,
Mississippi and East Louisiana, and Major-General
Canby, commanding United States forces, the troops of
this department have been surrendered. I do not think
it proper or necessary at this time to refer to the
causes which have reduced us to this extremity, nor is
it now a matter of material consequence as to how such
results were brought about. That we are beaten is a
self-evident fact, and any other further resistance on
our part would be justly regarded as the very height
of folly and rashness. The armies of Generals Lee and
Johnston have surrendered; you are the last of all
troops of the Confederate States Army east of the
Mississippi River to lay down your arms. The cause
for which vou have so long and manfully struggled, and
for which vou have braved dangers, endured privations
and sufferings, and made so many sacrifices, is today
hopeless. The government which we sought to establish
and perpetuate is at an end. Reason dictates and
humanity demands that no more blood be shed. Fully
realizing and feeling that such is the case, it is
your duty and mine to law down our arms, to submit to
the 'powers that be,' and to aid in restoring peace
and establishing law and order throughout the land.

The terms upon which we were surrendered are
favorable, and should be satisfactory and acceptable
to all. They Manifest a spirit of magnanimity and
liberality on the part of the Federal authorities
which should be met on our part by a faithful
compliance with all the stipulations and conditions
therein expressed. As your commander, I sincerely
hope that every officer and soldier of my command will
cheerfully obey the orders given, and carry out in
good faith all the terms of the cartel.

Those who neglect the terms and refuse to be paroled
may assuredly expect when arrested to be sent North
and imprisoned. Let those who are absent from their
commands, from whatever cause, report at once to this
place, or to Jackson, Miss., or, if too remote from
either, to the nearest United States post or garrison,
for parole. Civil war, such as you have just passed
through, naturally engenders feelings of animosity,
hatred and revenge. It is our duty to divest
ourselves of all bitter feelings, and, so far as it is
in our power to do so, to cultivate friendly
sentiments toward those with whom we have so long
contested and heretofore so widely but honestly
differed. Neighborhood feuds, personal animosities
and private differences should be blotted out and when
you return home a manly, straightforward course of
conduct will secure the respect even of your enemies.
Whatever your responsibilities may be to government,
to society, or to individuals, meet them like men.
The attempt made to establish a separate and
independent confederation has failed, but the
consciousness of having done your duty faithfully and
to the end will in some measure repay you for the
hardships you have undergone.

In bidding you farewell, rest assured that you carry
with you my best wishes for your future welfare and
happiness. Without in anv way referring to the merits
of the cause in which we have been engaged, your
courage and determination, as exhibited on many
hardfought fields, has elicited the respect and
admiration of friend and foe. And I now cheerfully
and gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness to the
officers and men of my command, whose zeal, fidelity
and unflinching bravery have been the great source of
my past success in arms. I have never on the field of
battle sent you where I was unwilling to go myself,
nor would I now advise you to a course which I felt
myself unwilling to pursue. You have been good
Soldiers; you can be good cit