General Nathan Bedford Forrest's Farewell To His Troops
Now THIS is how to write a farewell address.
Thanks to Don Smith over at Confederate Honor for posting this historic address. My great-grandfather was there… - DD
Lt. General Nathan Bedford Forrest Farewell Address to His Troops
Headquarters, Forrest's Cavalry Corps
Gainsville, Alabama
May 9, 1865
SOLDIERS:
By an agreement made between Lieut.-Gen. Taylor, commanding the Department of Alabama. Mississippi, and East Louisiana, and Major-Gen. 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 causes which have reduced us to this extremity; nor is it now a matter of material consequence to us how such results were brought about. That we are BEATEN is a self-evident fact, and any further resistance on our part would justly be regarded as the very height of folly and rashness.
The armies of Generals LEE and JOHNSON having surrendered. You are the last of all the troops of the Confederate States Army east of the Mississippi River to lay down your arms.
The Cause for which you have so long and so manfully struggled, and for which you 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 lay down our arms -- submit to the “powers that be” -- and to aid in restoring peace and establishing law and order throughout the land.
The terms upon which you were surrendered are favorable, and should be satisfactory and acceptable to all. They manifest a spirit of magnanimity and…
This was very good ⌛🐎⚔️❤️🩹